5 Baby Names Now BANNED in South Dakota
South Dakota laws regarding what you can name your child are generally pretty relaxed compared to other parts of the world, but there are still lines that cannot be crossed. While you might have a unique vision for your newborn, the state Department of Health and the vital records system have strict limitations on symbols, numbers, and certain offensive terms.
If you're looking for a creative name for your South Dakota baby, you’ll want to make sure you avoid these five specific names that are effectively banned in the Mount Rushmore State.
The "@" Symbol
South Dakota vital records systems are designed for standard characters. Using a symbol like @ or # would be rejected because the computer systems literally cannot process them for a birth certificate.
101 (or any digits)
Numerical names are a no-go. If someone tried to name their child "101" or "7," it would be flagged. In South Dakota, you have to spell it out as "Seven" if you want it to stick.
King / Queen (Titles)
While some states allow titles, South Dakota registrars often flag names that appear to be a formal title rather than a name, as it can be seen as "fraudulent" or an attempt to claim a legal status the child doesn't have.
Obscene or Derogatory Terms
South Dakota maintains "public policy" standards. Any name that is a blatant profanity or a hate-speech-related term (like Hitler) would be rejected by the Department of Health on the grounds of being "contrary to the public interest."
IV (Roman Numerals)
Similar to numbers, symbols like III or IV are often rejected if they are part of the first name field. While they are fine as a suffix, putting them in the actual name block often causes a system error.
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