.NAME Domain Policies

The .NAME namespace is the only generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) authorized exclusively for private individuals. It allows domain registrations on the second domain level.

Second level .NAME registrations allow Registrants to register domains like johnsmith.name.

Note: You cannot make any changes to contacts for 5 days after registration. In addition, you cannot enable WHOIS Privacy at registration or for 5 days after registration.

Registration details

Registration details can be found in the TLD reference chart.

Eligibility

Any person can register his or her own personal name. A parent may register the personal name of his or her child, provided that the registration is in the name of the child. The same applies to names given as gifts. All registrations must remain in the name of the rightful owner of the domain. Any individual or entity can register a personal name of a fictional character if that individual or entity has trade or service mark rights to that name.

Registrants can add numeric characters to the beginning or end of a personal name to differentiate it from other personal names. For instance, if johnsmith.name is already registered, an eligible registrant may opt to purchase john5smith.name or johnsmith5.name.

Domain formats and availability

Only 2nd-level .NAME is supported

You can format .NAME domains according to one of the following examples:

• FirstnameLastname.name (second-level)
• LastnameFirstname.name (second-level)

Important to note

The following products and services for .name (new registration and transfer-in) are no longer supported:

• .NAME Defensive (Standard / Premium)
• .NAME Namewatch
• .NAME Email Forwarding (standalone product)
• 3rd-level .NAME registrations (standalone product)
• .NAME Email Forwarding & 3rd-level .NAME registrations (bundle product)

.NAME Products Discontinuation

Effective June 19, 2026, Enom will cease support for certain legacy .name products and services

Affected products:

The following services will no longer be supported as of the discontinuation date:

• Third-level .name domain registrations (e.g., john.smith.name)
• Bundle services (third-level domain + registry-provided email forwarding)
• Standalone registry-provided .name email forwarding
• Defensive registrations (standard and premium)
• NameWatch
  

Please note:

• Second-level .name domains (e.g., johnsmith.name) are not affected and will continue to be supported.
  

Key Dates

• As of June 19, 2026, Enom will no longer support these products and services. You'll no longer be able to renew them through our platform. 
• Existing services will remain active until their expiration date, or until June 19, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Customers wishing to retain affected services must transfer them to another provider before June 19, 2026

Product Discontinuation FAQs

Q: Why are certain .name products being discontinued?

A: Following a business review, Tucows has decided to discontinue support for certain .name products. Support for these services will end upon completion of the 3-month transition period.

Q: Which products are affected?

A: The following products and services will no longer be supported after the transition period, June 19, 2026:

• 3rd-level .name domain registrations (e.g., john.smith.name)
• Bundle services (3rd-level .name domain registrations + registry-provided email forwarding, e.g., john.smith.name + john@smith.name)
• Email forwarding services (e.g., john@smith.name)
• Defensive registrations (premium and standard)
• NameWatch

2nd-level .name domain registrations are not affected (e.g., john.name).

Q: What is the transition timeline?

A: The transition period is 3-months from the date of the initial notice we sent to impacted resellers.

Two communications are sent:

• Initial notice
• 30 days reminder

All transfers must be completed by the deadline stated in the notices.

Q: When is auto-renewal disabled?

A: Auto-renew/Explicit renew is disabled at the end of the 3-month transition period.

After auto-renewal is disabled:

• Domains will not renew automatically.
• Manual renewal will not be available after the transition deadline, June 19, 2026.

Q: Will extensions be granted?

A: No. The 3-month transition period is final. No deadline extensions will be provided.

Q: What support is available after the deadline?

A: After the 3-month deadline:

• Day-to-day support for affected products will no longer be provided.

Tucows Support can still assist with:

• Updating contact information (where appropriate)
• Issuing AuthCodes (subject to verification requirements)

Q: Can domains still be transferred after the deadline?

A: Transfers may still be possible after the deadline if the domain has not expired and remains eligible under registry rules. However:

• No ongoing product support will be provided.
• Auto-renew/Explicit renewal remains disabled.
• No extensions or reinstatement of services will be offered.

Q: Does this affect 2nd-level .name domains?

A: No. Second-level .name domains (e.g., example.name) remain supported and unaffected.

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