Most Popular Names

Even the SSA recognizes the influence of pop culture on the way America names its children.  In reference to the sudden popularity of the name Mason, the SSA press release states, “Some may attribute this year’s rise (of the name Mason,) to number two to reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian’s son.”

What if someone didn’t want their child’s name to be quite so popular, could they have it trademarked? That is what Beyonce and Jay-Z are attempting to do with their new daughter’s name, Blue Ivy Carter. In February, MTV.com quoted attorney Vikki Ziegler explaining that the trademark can, “protect against others using the child’s name as a brand of merchandise in the same marketplace.”

According to the same article, the Patent Office allows for parents to trademark the name of a minor child, but it has to be their own child. Apparently, two different designers tried to copyright the famous couple’s daughter’s name, one for a fragrance, soon after Blue Ivy was born, but they were rejected by the Patent Office.

The United States has very little to say legally about what you can name your child, but remember, your precious child has to live with your creativity.