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How to register your baby's name
Key facts
- It’s a good idea to think about possible baby names while you are still pregnant.
- When looking for a name for your baby, you might like to think about your family tradition, culture and the meaning of any names you are considering.
- There are some restrictions on what you can name your baby in Australia, to make sure that your baby’s name can be easily used in society and legal identity documents.
- To register your baby, visit the website of your state or territory’s Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
- In most states and territories, you have 60 days after birth to register your baby’s name.
What should I think about when choosing a name for my baby?
Choosing your baby's name might seem hard, but there are many places to find ideas.
It’s a good idea to think about names before your baby is born. In most Australian states and territories, you have 60 days after birth to register your baby's name.
You may already have a list of names ready to go, or maybe you haven't thought about baby names yet. Either way, here are some things to think about before you make your final decision.
If you are just starting out or are not sure, start a list so you don't forget any potential options.
Family tradition
Many people think about their relatives or close friends when picking a baby name. You might follow a family or cultural tradition that can help you choose. You can also think about using your child’s middle name to name them after someone, if the name is not your preferred choice for a first name.
Meaning
You might like to think about the meaning of a name before you make your decision. There are many sites on the internet that can help you find the meaning of names.
Think ahead
It's helpful to think about any nicknames, initials or first and last name combinations that might come from your choice.
Try saying the full name aloud a few times and see how it sounds to you and your partner. Remember that your child will have this name for life, so think about any issues this may cause in the future. You should also keep this in mind if you are thinking about choosing a name that is unusual or has an unusual spelling.
Where can I find ideas for baby names?
There are many commercial websites with lists of baby names for you to consider. The NSW Government (Opens in new tab) has a list of popular baby names that you might find helpful.
You can also check your state or territory’s Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages website for a list of popular baby names in your state or territory by year.
Can I choose any name for my baby?
In Australia, there are some restrictions on what you can name your baby. This is to make sure that your baby’s name can be reasonably used by the community and in legal identity documents.
Names that may not be allowed include those that:
- may be offensive or obscene
- are too long
- contain symbols
- reference public institutions
- are statements or phrases (for example, ‘Hello’)
- might be misleading (for example, political or religious titles such as ‘King’ or ‘Saint’)
If your state or territory’s Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages has questions about your choice of name for your baby, they will contact you.
How do I register my baby's name?
Once your baby is born and you have decided on a name, you need to register the name with the relevant agency in your state or territory.
You should receive forms to complete from the hospital or birth centre where your baby is born. If not, check the links below to access the relevant forms online.
The hospital will also give you a form for adding your baby to your Medicare card.
The hospital does not register the birth for you — you need to register your baby yourself.
Most states and territories in Australia require you to register a birth within 60 days of the day of birth (except the ACT, which allows 6 months).
Links to the various births, deaths and marriages departments are below:
Resources and support
Find out more about what to do when your baby arrives (Opens in new tab) and how to register the birth of your baby (Opens in new tab) from Services Australia.
They also have information about how to enrol your baby in Medicare (Opens in new tab).
Find out how we develop and review our content.
Last reviewed: April 2026
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