TLD Guide

.name Domain: Price, Registration Rules & Is It Worth It (August 2026)

.name is one of the original generic top-level domains (gTLDs), operated by VeriSign / Identity Digital since 2001. It's best known as the domain of choice for personal websites and individuals.

Quick answer: .name domains typically cost $10–$15/yr. Registration is open to anyone worldwide with no restrictions.

Who Can Register a .name Domain

Registration is open to anyone worldwide — there's no residency, business registration, or documentation requirement to register a .name domain, regardless of where you're located.

Typical .name Pricing

.name domains fall into the budget pricing tier, typically running $10–$15/yr. As with most domains, watch for a discounted first-year promotional rate that jumps significantly at renewal — always check the renewal price before registering, not just the checkout price you're shown initially.

What .name Is Actually Used For

.name is most commonly chosen by personal websites and individuals. Designed specifically for personal names (firstname.lastname.name) rather than businesses

Is .name the Right Choice for Your Project?

.name is not a newer extension -- it is one of the internet's original top-level domains, and that longevity is exactly why it still carries the most default trust of any extension. The main reason to look elsewhere is availability: if the exact name you want is already taken on .name, weigh a close .name alternative against switching extensions entirely, rather than assuming a newer extension is automatically an equivalent substitute.

What to Check Before You Buy

.name sits in a similar or slightly cheaper range, so cost isn't a major factor in the decision either way. Three things are worth confirming before you commit to any .name domain: the real renewal price once any first-year discount ends, whether WHOIS privacy is included or billed separately, and -- if it's a restricted extension -- whether you actually qualify under the registry's eligibility rules. Each of those has caused a real, avoidable surprise for someone who skipped the check.

For a wider view, compare .pro against .net, or read our beginner-friendly registration guide for the fundamentals that apply to any domain.

Once you've decided, check .name availability instantly for your exact name, or run a WHOIS lookup if you find it's already registered and want to see who owns it and when it expires.

Quick Answers

Can anyone register a .name domain?

Yes — .name registration is open worldwide with no residency, citizenship, or business registration requirement.

How much does a .name domain cost?

Typically $10–$15/yr. As with most domains, confirm the renewal price separately from any first-year promotional discount before registering.

What is .name commonly used for?

.name is most associated with personal websites and individuals.

Who operates the .name registry?

VeriSign / Identity Digital operates the .name registry, which has been in operation since 2001.

Does .name affect SEO compared to .com?

No direct ranking penalty exists for any legitimate TLD — Google has stated extensions themselves aren't a ranking factor. What matters more is the same thing that matters for any domain: relevant content, backlinks, and a name people trust enough to click.

Can I transfer a .name domain to a different registrar later?

In most cases yes, following the standard domain transfer process (unlocking, obtaining an authorization code, and waiting out the 60-day post-registration transfer restriction). No special restrictions apply beyond the usual transfer process any domain goes through.

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