Can You Put Numbers or Symbols in Your Name? (The Official Rules)
In the age of gamertags and social media handles, we are used to identifying ourselves with underscores, numbers, and symbols. It is only natural that some people want to carry that unique identity over into the real world.
We often get asked: "Can I legally change my name to something like 'Agent 007' or 'Ke$ha'?"
While we admire the creativity, the answer from the UK government is a very firm "No." Here is why trying to put a number or symbol in your name will almost certainly lead to a rejected application.
The Latin Alphabet Rule
Her Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) and the Home Office have strict policies on what constitutes a "name." Their primary rule is that a name must be pronounceable and written using the Latin alphabet.
This means your name must consist of letters from A to Z. You cannot use:
- Numbers: You cannot be "Seven", "1990", or "V3ra".
- Symbols: You cannot use "@", "$", "&", or "%".
- Emojis: Absolutely not.
Why Are They So Strict?
It isn't just because they are boring. It is a matter of international security and computer compatibility.
Your name needs to work on systems all over the world. If your passport says "M@tt", it might crash the computer system at border control in a country that doesn't recognise the "@" symbol in a name field, leaving you stranded at the airport.
The Exceptions: Punctuation You CAN Use
While symbols are banned, there are a few punctuation marks that are legally accepted because they are part of traditional naming structures:
- Hyphens (-): Totally fine. Double-barrelled names like "Smith-Jones" are accepted every day.
- Apostrophes ('): Generally accepted for names like "O'Connor" or "D'Arcy," provided they don't look like they are trying to be a computer code.
Top Tip: Even accepted punctuation can sometimes cause issues with airline booking systems. If you can avoid punctuation, your life will generally be easier.
The Solution: Spell It Out
If you have your heart set on a number, there is a workaround: Phonetic Spelling.
You cannot change your name to "Unit 1," but you can likely change your name to "Unit One." As long as the name is composed of letters and isn't offensive, the Passport Office will usually accept the written version of a number.
Make Sure Your New Name is Valid
Changing your name is a legal process, and you don't want to pay for a Deed Poll only to find out your choice is banned.
At uknamechange.com, we help ensure your name change goes through smoothly. Our Complete Package (£29.99) provides fully compliant Deed Poll documents. If you are unsure about your name choice, sticking to our standard formatting ensures you won't get rejected by the Passport Office.
