Do You Need to Name Your Baby Immediately? An Expert Weighs In

Remaining Nameless

Can You Leave the Hospital Without a Name?

Is there an obligation to name your child before heading home?

By Emma C. Johnson
April 25, 2022

Naming a baby can be a significant decision, and as seen with celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott, the process can lead to intense deliberation. Recently, they swapped their son’s name from Wolf to something else yet to be revealed. So, this raises the question: Are you required to name your baby while in the hospital, or can you take your time?

A quick search reveals two key points: First, you can indeed leave the hospital without choosing a name. Second, some hospital staff may suggest that a “hospital policy” exists requiring a name, but this is largely inaccurate.

“When you deliver at a hospital, they provide a birth registration form that includes a section for a social security card. Many hospitals might insist that you can’t leave without completing this paperwork, but legally, that’s often not the case,” says Laura Thompson of NameWise. However, many parents share experiences of being urged by nurses to hurry up and fill out the forms. “I was given a two-day deadline for my second child, and I had no idea we could just wait,” recalls Sarah Martinez from Denver, Colorado.

Why Choose a Name in the Hospital?

Some parents feel pressured to name their child during their hospital stay. “We were told it would be ‘more complicated’ if we didn’t choose a name before leaving,” says Jessica Lee from Seattle, Washington. While there is some truth to this, it’s more about convenience than necessity. “It can simplify things if the paperwork is completed before you’re home and adjusting to new parenthood,” Thompson explains. If you leave without a name, you’ll have the extra task of filing the official documentation later on. In fact, I heard my cousin left the hospital without naming her baby, and her partner had to return shortly after to submit the forms.

How Long Can You Wait to Name Your Baby?

States vary in how long parents have to finalize a first name, with some allowing up to a year. While hospitals must document the birth, the first-name field can remain blank or filled with a placeholder like “babyboy” or “babygirl.” “In California, you must register your baby’s birth within ten days, but complete birth certificates can be submitted within a year,” Thompson notes. In Florida, parents have until the child’s first birthday to officially select a name. New York City allows a full year for parents to return to the hospital to file the name. However, in Vermont, parents have six months to do so; after that, a court order is necessary.

“It’s best to have a name ready, or at least a few options, when your baby arrives,” Thompson advises. “But if you don’t, there’s no need to panic! Just remember, laws differ by state, and you usually have some time post-birth to decide.”

Interestingly, according to The Washington Post, the Social Security Administration has recorded around 30,000 baby name changes over the last five years, so Kylie Jenner isn’t alone in this regard. However, the exact number of babies leaving the hospital without a name is less clear. Just don’t let any assertive labor and delivery nurse convince you it’s impossible!

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Potential Search Queries

Summary:

You are not obligated to name your baby immediately upon birth; many hospitals do allow you to leave without a name. While it can be more convenient to have a name ready, you often have up to a year to finalize it, depending on your state’s regulations. Don’t feel pressured by hospital staff; take your time to make the right choice for your family.