Quick Answer
There are no legal restrictions on naming a boy Moon in most countries. While Moon is an uncommon name for a boy, parents have the freedom to give their child any name they wish. Some parents choose Moon for its celestial meaning or connection to nature. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference.
Can You Legally Name a Boy Moon?
In the United States and many other countries, parents have a great deal of freedom in choosing their child’s name. There are no laws prohibiting the name Moon for a boy in the U.S. or most Western countries.
Some locations do have naming laws or restrictions:
- Iceland — Names must comply with grammar rules and contain only letters in the Icelandic alphabet. Moon would not be allowed.
- Germany — Names cannot negatively affect the wellbeing of the child. Moon is generally allowed.
- New Zealand — Names cannot resemble official titles or ranks. Moon is permitted.
- Japan — Some kanji (characters) used in names are prohibited. But phonetic names like Moon using katakana are allowed.
So in most of the world, there are no legal hurdles to clearing in order to name your son Moon. It is a matter of personal choice.
Is Moon an Accepted Boy’s Name?
Moon is quite uncommon for a boy’s first name today. But it does have some history of use:
- In Greek mythology, Menoetius was a Titan god known as the “doomed one.”
- Moon Jae-in is the current President of South Korea.
- Professional boxer Moon Sung-kil won a flyweight bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics.
Some parents today are drawn to Moon for boys because of its:
- Connection to nature and the night sky
- Sense of mystique or power
- Smooth, lyrical sound
So while unusual, Moon is an established name for boys that some parents see as beautiful and meaningful.
Popularity of Moon for Boys
Moon is very rare as a masculine given name today. In the United States, fewer than 5 baby boys per year are named Moon. It ranked #16,791 for boy names in 2020, according to Social Security card applications.
Other statistics on Moon for boys:
- 67 boys were named Moon in the U.S. from 1880 to 2019.
- Its peak use was in 1974 when 10 boys were named Moon.
- In 2019, only 5 boys in America were given the name.
So while not illegal or prohibited, choosing the name Moon for a son is definitely unconventional today. It offers the appeal of fresh uniqueness.
Alternate Spellings
The name Moon is generally spelled as such for boys. But some alternate spellings can give it additional flair:
- Moone
- Mun
- Muen
Creative spellings can make the name Moon more distinctive, though potentially lead to mispronunciations.
Popularity for Girls
Moon is slightly more common as a name for girls. In 2020, it ranked #4,583 for girls in the U.S. Some parents may prefer it as a feminine name.
Notable women named Moon:
- Moon Moon Sen – Indian actress and politician
- Moon Bloodgood – American actress
- Moon Unit Zappa – Daughter of Frank Zappa
But even for girls, the name Moon remains quite rare. It offers a whimsical option related to the sky and nature.
Nickname Options
For a boy named Moon, some potential nicknames could include:
- Mooney
- Loony
- Moonie
Moonman or Moondog are funky, edgy nicknames. Using just the first initial like “M” is also an option. A middle name provides more nickname possibilities as well.
Middle Names for Moon
Pairing an uncommon first name like Moon with a more common middle can create balance. Some middle name ideas:
- Moon Alexander
- Moon Jacob
- Moon David
- Moon Tyler
- Moon Elliot
- Moon Matthew
- Moon Joshua
Nature inspired middles like River, Wolfe or Orion also complement Moon nicely. Alliteration like Moon Mason has a catchy sound.
Conclusion
Naming a boy Moon is an unconventional choice that offers celestial and natural symbolism. While rare, it is legal in most areas and allows parents to give their son a unique, meaningful name connected to the night sky. Paired with a more common middle name, Moon has funky style perfect for creative parents seeking an original option.