Published: 17.10.2026
The .name extension is a generic top-level zone that was designed around personal names. It is one of the first new zones added after the original .com, .net and .org, and it suits people who want an address built from their own name, a family name or a personal brand. Writers, designers, consultants and individuals who present themselves online often choose it for a short, personal address. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .name is still free.
Check if a .name domain is available .name Check
A short history
The .name zone was approved around the year 2000, in the first group of new generic extensions added to the domain system. Its purpose was personal: people could register their own names as addresses, instead of using a business word or a topic. Many of its users are individuals, freelancers and small creative businesses. The zone is less common than .com, so most visitors will recognise it more slowly, and the full address should be easy to read wherever it appears.
Who runs it
As a generic zone, .name is run by a registry operator under a contract with ICANN, the organisation that coordinates the global domain name system. The operator sets the policies for the zone, including who may hold a name and how names may be used. Accredited registrars sell names to customers and pass the orders on. Because the operator can update its terms, the rules shown at the time of the order are the ones that apply to you.
Rules in practice
- Personal focus: the zone was created with personal names in mind, so check whether your intended use fits the current policy before you pay.
- Name structure: many people use the form first.last.name, which keeps the address in the shape of a personal name. The levels that may be registered depend on the registry rules.
- Contact data: the holder's details must be accurate, and the registrar may ask you to confirm them.
- Renewal: names must be renewed on time, so enable auto-renewal and keep the contact e-mail address active.
Who uses .name
- Individuals who want an address built from their own name for a personal site or an online portfolio.
- Freelancers, authors, designers and consultants who present their work under their own name.
- Families and small creative teams that share a name-based address for a blog or a photo album.
- Speakers and coaches who want a memorable address for a CV, a profile or a contact page.
Strengths
- The address reads as a personal name, which makes it easy to share on a business card, in a talk or in an e-mail signature.
- The zone is not tied to one country, so it can suit people in many places.
- The word name is clear and descriptive for anyone who wants a personal online identity.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone is less familiar to most people than .com, so visitors may need to see the full address more than once.
- A personal name is often shared with many other people, so a common name may be hard to register in its simplest form.
- If you plan to use the address for a company, check whether the zone's terms suit a business holder.
- Policies can change, so an older registration may need updated details later.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and decide whether a second address is worth owning.
- Decide the exact form you want before you order, for example first.last.name or a shorter variant.
- Set up mail records before you use the address for e-mail, so that messages are delivered and recognised.
- Use the same spelling of your name in every profile, so that people can find you without confusion.
- Enable two-factor login on the registrar account and keep the recovery details up to date.
Frequently asked questions
Is .name only for individuals? The zone was designed mainly for personal use, so check the current registration rules and make sure your situation fits them before you order.
Can I use a .name address for e-mail? Yes, once the mail records are set up correctly. Test sending and receiving before you rely on the address for important messages.
Does a .name domain help a site rank higher? No ending can promise a ranking. Search engines look mainly at the content of a site, its clarity and the links that point to it.
