Can I give my baby any name I want?
Yes, with considerable freedom, but with some limits. When registering your child at the Civil Registry you can choose their name with broad freedom, including foreign names, names in other Spanish languages or uncommon ones. The Civil Registry Law (Law 20/2011) sets few limits: names that objectively harm the person (degrading or making them a laughing stock) aren't allowed, nor those that cause confusion about identification, and you can't impose more than one compound or two simple names. The old ban on names that didn't clearly indicate sex no longer exists: any name can be given regardless of sex. Nor can the same name be given as a living sibling with identical surnames.
📋 The rules
- Broad freedom of choice (including names in other languages)
- Banned: those that objectively harm the person
- Banned: those that cause confusion about identification
- Maximum one compound or two simple names
- No restriction by the name's sex
🔓 Exceptions
- The same name as a living sibling with the same surnames isn't allowed
- Diminutives or familiar variants: allowed if they identify properly
- Adapting foreign names to the spelling: possible depending on the case
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no penalty: if the chosen name doesn't meet the limits, the Civil Registry officer simply doesn't register it and asks for another. These decisions can be appealed if you think the name was admissible. The limits aim to protect the minor (avoiding degrading or confusing names), not to restrict the parents' freedom, which is broad. Have the name in mind when going to register the birth (which must be done within the legal deadlines, often from the hospital), and, in doubt, check it beforehand at the Registry.
📎 Official sources
- BOE · Law 20/2011 on the Civil Registry (name and surnames) →
- Ministry of Justice · Birth registration →
- Administración · Birth and registration →
❓ Frequently asked
Which names can't be given to a baby?
Those that objectively harm the person (degrading or making them a laughing stock) and those that cause confusion about identification. You also can't impose more than one compound or two simple names, nor the same name as a living sibling with identical surnames.
Can I give a foreign name or one in another language?
Yes. The law allows foreign names, names in any of Spain's languages or uncommon ones, provided they respect the general limits. Freedom of choice is broad; only names that harm the minor or confuse their identification are rejected.
Is a name that doesn't indicate sex still banned?
No. That old restriction was removed. Today any name can be given regardless of the person's sex, as long as it meets the other limits. The Registry can't reject a name just because it's neutral or doesn't mark sex.
How many names can my child have?
At most one compound name (e.g. José María) or two simple names (e.g. Ana and Lucía). Combinations of more names aren't allowed. The aim is to make it easier to identify the person throughout their life.
What if the Registry rejects the name?
The Civil Registry officer doesn't register it and asks for another admissible name. That decision can be appealed if you think the name met the requirements. It's best to bring the decided name when registering the birth and, in doubt, check it first.
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