by baby&familyNaming Law
Hyphen or Space? Legal and Practical Differences in Double Names
Anna-Lena or Anna Lena? Müller-Schmidt or Müller Schmidt? When choosing a name for your child, the question often arises whether two names should be connected with a hyphen or separated by a space. This little dash has far-reaching legal and practical consequences for your child's everyday life, for both first names and surnames. This article explains the exact differences so that you can make a well-informed decision.
The Legal Situation Regarding First Names
For first names, the regulation in Germany is clear: the hyphen determines how many first names your child legally has.
- With a hyphen: “Anna-Lena” is listed as a single combined compound first name. The combination cannot be dissolved merely by sorting the first names.
- With a space: “Anna Lena” consists of two separate first names. In everyday personal life, you can use one of them as a call name (Rufname); this does not change the officially registered name.
When you decide on a name combination, the meanings of the individual names often play a role. Let us take two frequently chosen examples to show how etymological derivations are formed: Paul traces back to the Roman name Paulus; the underlying Latin word means "small." Lukas is documented as a name of geographic origin and means "the person from Lucania." Mia is documented as a short form of Maria, while Sophie traces back to the Greek word for "wisdom." Whether you choose to give these names as Paul-Lukas or Mia Sophie does not change their historical derivation—though it certainly affects their legal flexibility.
The New Rules for Surnames (Birth Names)
Naming law in Germany has undergone comprehensive reform. Through the Act Amending the Law on Spousal and Birth Names (Gesetz zur Änderung des Ehenamens- und Geburtsnamensrechts), which entered into force on May 1, 2025, the options available to families have expanded significantly. This particularly affects your child's surname.
If you do not share a common married name and have joint custody, you can designate the name of one parent or a hyphenated or unhyphenated double name formed from both of your names as the child's birth name pursuant to Section 1617 of the German Civil Code (BGB). The hyphen is the statutory default form. You may opt not to use the hyphen in your declaration; no further implementation regulations need to be awaited for this. For parental names that already consist of multiple parts, the law restricts combinations.
What the Spelling Means for Your Daily Life
The choice between a hyphen and a space has very concrete consequences for your child's future life. Here are three areas where the difference becomes noticeable:
Public Authorities, Banks, and Flight Tickets
For official transactions, follow the required information and the prevailing identification document. When booking or filling out a form, inquire if the fields cannot accommodate the full name. A space does not imply general permission to omit additional first names; conversely, a technical system might display hyphens differently.
School and Work
In personal interactions, your child can use a preferred name or a short form, even if the official legal name is longer. Discuss with the daycare and school how your child should be addressed. Official registry entries and the form of address used in daily life serve different purposes.
Name Length and Forms
Long name combinations may require more space on forms. Check how full names are supposed to be entered before submitting. Do not omit an additional first name simply because a field is too short; instead, ask for an appropriate input option.
To get a feel for length and visual appearance, you can try out your favorite first name with surname and middle name in the HeyName app. This allows you to see directly on the screen how the combination looks with and without a hyphen and compare up to three favorites side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions About Double Names
Can we simply have the hyphen removed later?
A simple declaration regarding the sequence of first names does not permit a change in their spelling. Whether a hyphen can be changed in your specific case and which procedure is required should be clarified with the competent authority. For an administrative change of name under public law, an important reason (wichtiger Grund) is generally required.
How many first names are permitted?
No fixed maximum number arises from the German Civil Code (BGB). However, a specific number of first names does not guarantee registration. In the case of a very long combination, you should discuss the concrete sequence of names with the civil registry office (Standesamt) at an early stage.
How does a name change work in a new marriage (Einbenennung)?
Subject to the requirements of Section 1617e BGB, a child can receive the married name of a parent and that parent's spouse or an admissible double name. The required consents depend on the individual case. From the age of five, the consent of the child is also provided for. If the required consent of the other parent is missing, the family court may substitute it if the incorporation into the family name (Einbenennung) serves the best interests of the child.
Binding Information Is Provided by the Standesamt
When specifying the official spelling or wishing to change it later, clarify your specific case with the civil registry office (Standesamt) or the name change authority. Provide your names, citizenships, and the desired change. This allows the authority to verify which rule applies and which documents are required.
Legal information status: September 22, 2026.