| Namecheap | Hover | Porkbun | Godaddy | Gandi | NameSilo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8.98 | N/A | $7.29 | $14.99 | $15.6 | N/A |
The average price of a .name domain is $11.72.
The cheapest place to buy a .name domain is Porkbun for $7.29.
.name is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) in the root zone of the Internet's Domain Name System (DNS). Designed to provide a name space for individuals, it allows users to register domains based on their names, nicknames, or screen names. The .name gTLD was one of seven new TLDs selected by the ICANN Board in 2000 and is currently operated by Verisign. Its registration facilitates personalized email addresses with second and third-level registrations (e.g., jane.name or jane.smith.name). The domain was launched in 2002, following the acquisition of its initial operator, Global Name Registry, by Verisign in 2008.
The ownership of a .name domain is subject to certain restrictions. Initially, access to the Whois database of the Global Name Registry was limited to those who paid for it, raising concerns from Internet security researchers regarding their ability to police the Internet and prevent cybercrimes. However, ICANN's contract with the registry allowed this practice in compliance with British privacy law. Minimal data is freely accessible, while more detailed information can be obtained by paying a fee for limited access. These restrictions aim to protect user privacy while ensuring transparency and security within the domain.