Verisign ends .NAME third-level domain services; about 22,000 existing domain names will be deleted
Verisign, as the registry operator for the .NAME top-level domain, has received ICANN approval to terminate third-level domain registration services. About 22,000 existing third-level domain names (such as 123.x.name) will be deleted, and EPP will no longer accept new third-level domain registrations.
.NAME was launched in 2001 and initially supported only third-level domain names (for personal names). In 2003, ICANN approved the simultaneous offering of second-level domain registrations. In 2008, after Verisign acquired the original registry operator Global Name Registry, it became responsible for all .NAME services. On April 15, 2026, Verisign submitted an RSEP application to ICANN, citing continuously declining usage, limited registrar support, and the fact that most existing domain names were unused. ICANN approved it on May 7 and issued a formal notice letter on July 28.
The application stated that existing third-level domain names will be deleted after the service is terminated. Registrars must notify users at least 90 days in advance. Multiple sources reported that the deletion is expected in February 2027, with some saying February 15, but official documents did not set an exact date. Second-level .NAME domain names are not affected. Some users have already filed requests for reconsideration.
Original sources:
Title: Discontinuation of Third-Level Domain Name Registrations Service for the .NAME gTLD Publisher: ICANN Publication date: 2026-07-28 URL：https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/consensus-policies/fessenden-to-kane-2-28-07-2026-en.pdf Nature of source: official approval letter Verification status: This PDF was read in this report, verification date 2026-10-29 Supporting content: approval to terminate, about 22,000 domain names, most unused, deletion of existing registrations
Title: .name Shutdown: How to Keep Your firstname.lastname.name Email Publisher: register.domains Publication date: 2026-10-23 URL：https://register.domains/en/blog/name-third-level-domain-deletion Nature of source: industry analysis Verification status: This report was read and cross-checked against ICANN documents Supporting content: timeline, expected deletion in February 2027, and user reports
ABAB AI Insight
In its RSEP, Verisign said that declining third-level domain usage and limited registrar support would improve operational efficiency after termination. ICANN approved the request after finding no major security, stability, or competition issues. Users have already filed reconsideration requests, some involving domains that have been in use for nearly 25 years.
User reports say that some domains were prepaid through 2030 or 2040, but will be terminated ahead of schedule. After deletion, related websites, email, and dependent services will stop working.
ICANN requires Verisign to notify registrars at least 90 days in advance. The exact deletion date will be determined by Verisign after the notice, and multiple registrars and user reports point to February 2027.
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Verisign received ICANN approval to end .NAME third-level domain services, and about 22,000 existing domain names will be deleted.
The deletion is expected to be carried out in February 2027, and second-level .NAME domain names are not affected.