Yes, legally, it is possible to have only one name (a mononym) without a separate last name in the United States, although this is rare and presents significant administrative complexities. While common practice and many official forms assume a given name and a surname, there is no federal law in the U.S. that explicitly mandates individuals to have a last name.
Understanding Names in the US Legal System
The United States operates under a common law tradition regarding names, meaning individuals generally have the right to choose and use any name they wish, as long as it's not for fraudulent purposes. Most naming conventions, including the use of a given name and a surname, are based on long-standing traditions and practical necessity rather than strict legal mandates.
- No Federal Mandate: Unlike some other countries, there is no overarching federal statute requiring every U.S. citizen or resident to possess a distinct surname.
- State-Level Registration: Birth certificates, which are issued by states, record the name provided by parents. While typically including a first and last name, exceptions or specific state processes might accommodate a single name.
- Legal Name Change: Individuals can legally change their name through a court order. This process can, in theory, be used to adopt a single name (a mononym) and drop a surname entirely.
Practical Implications of Not Having a Last Name
While legally permissible, operating without a conventional last name can lead to substantial challenges in daily life, as most government, financial, and institutional systems are designed around the expectation of a multi-part name.
For instance, when an individual does not have a distinct surname, official systems, such as those used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for documents like I-20s or DS-2019s, will typically use the given name in the place of the surname. This ensures that the required surname field is populated for identification purposes within systems designed for two-part names.
Here are some areas where having only one name might create difficulties:
- Official Identification Documents:
- Passports: The U.S. Department of State's passport application often requires a "surname" field. While they can issue passports for mononyms, it requires special handling and can lead to issues with international travel.
- Driver's Licenses/State IDs: State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) systems are typically structured to include both a first and last name.
- Financial Transactions:
- Bank Accounts: Opening bank accounts, obtaining credit cards, or securing loans may be challenging as financial institutions rely heavily on full names for identity verification and fraud prevention.
- Credit Reporting: Credit bureaus track individuals by their full names, making it difficult to establish and maintain a credit history.
- Employment and Education:
- HR Systems: Human resources databases and payroll systems are almost universally designed with distinct fields for given names and surnames.
- Academic Records: Universities and schools also use traditional naming structures for transcripts and diplomas.
- Legal and Administrative Processes:
- Contracts: Entering into legal agreements, purchasing property, or signing leases could be complicated.
- Healthcare: Medical records and insurance claims are organized by full names, which could lead to administrative errors or delays in care.
- Social Security: While the Social Security Administration (SSA) primarily relies on the Name (Given Name) and Surname as provided on the birth record, it can accommodate individuals who legally adopt a single name. However, it still often populates the surname field with the mononym itself.
Scenarios and System Adaptations
The table below illustrates how various entities might handle individuals with a single name:
| Area/Entity | Standard Naming Convention | Handling a Mononym (Single Name) |
|---|---|---|
| Government IDs | First Name, Last Name | May use the single name in both "First Name" and "Last Name" fields, or specifically designate it as a mononym. |
| Immigration Docs | Given Name, Surname | Given name is often duplicated in the surname field if no distinct surname is provided. |
| Financial Inst. | First Name, Last Name | Requires special override or system adjustments; may flag for additional verification. |
| Employment/HR | First Name, Last Name | Could require manual adjustments in databases; may cause issues with automated systems. |
| Travel Abroad | First Name, Last Name | Can lead to confusion with foreign customs and immigration officials unfamiliar with mononyms. |
How to Legally Adopt a Mononym
If an individual wishes to legally have no last name and use only a single name, they would typically need to pursue a formal legal name change through a court order in their state of residence. This involves:
- Filing a Petition: Submitting a petition to a local court (e.g., probate court, civil court) requesting the name change.
- Publication: Often, states require public notice of the name change request to prevent fraud.
- Court Hearing: Attending a hearing where a judge reviews the petition and grants the order.
- Updating Documents: After obtaining the court order, updating all official documents, including:
- Social Security card
- Driver's license or state ID
- Passport
- Birth certificate (if permitted by state law)
- Bank accounts and other financial records
In conclusion, while the absence of a distinct last name is not strictly prohibited by U.S. federal law, the prevailing societal and administrative structures make it highly impractical. Systems are designed to expect a surname, and even when one is not provided, methods are in place to populate the surname field, often by using the given name, to maintain functionality within those systems.
