What is a reasonable length limit on person "Name" fields?

sql html textbox
EndangeredMassa picture EndangeredMassa · Aug 27, 2008 · Viewed 116.2k times · Source

I have a simple webform that will allow unauthenticated users to input their information, including name. I gave the name field a limit of 50 characters to coincide with my database table where the field is varchar(50), but then I started to wonder.

Is it more appropriate to use something like the Text column type or should I limit the length of the name to something reasonable?

I'm using SQL Server 2005, in case that matters in your response.

EDIT: I did not see this broader question regarding similar issues.

Answer

Ian Nelson picture Ian Nelson · Aug 27, 2008

UK Government Data Standards Catalogue suggests 35 characters for each of Given Name and Family Name, or 70 characters for a single field to hold the Full Name.

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