Have you seen an apostrophe in an email address or want to include one in yours? Find out here whether apostrophes are ok to use in email addresses.
First, Gerhard de Kremer Draws a Map
Gerhard de Kremer draws a map, puts it in a book and gives the book a name—not any old name, tough, mind you!
De Kremer, more commonly known as Mercator, picked an old name we still use today when he called his book of maps after a half-mythical king of the Ancient World described as an astute knower of the heavenly bodies by Diodorus, Atlas of Mauritania.
Today, you can call your email address atlas@fabricamundi.com, too; but what about atlas’sback@fabricamundi.com? Let’s find out:
Can I Use an Apostrophe in an Email Address?
Yes.
Apostrophes are part of the characters always allowed in email addresses by common email standards.
You can
- start your email address with an apostrophe,
Example:'example@ladedu.comis valid. - put an apostrophe immediately before the @ sign in an email address or
Example:example'@ladedu.comis valid. - use multiple apostrophes in email addresses.
Example:ex''ample@ladedu.comis valid.
Note: The domain name (the part following the @ character) can technically include apostrophes, but typically will not.
Apostrophes in Email Addresses: FAQ
Can I use a back quote (`) in my email address?
Yes.
In addition to the apostrophe (‘), email addresses can include the back quote character (`) — also known as accent grave and left or open quote.
Example: `example@ladedu.com is a valid email address.
You can, of course, also double the back quote in your email address.
Example: ``example''@ladedu.com is a valid email address.
Important: The same is not true for the corresponding accent acute. See below.
Can I include a tilde (´) in my email address?
No.
The tilde (´) — also known as accent acute and right or close quote — is not allowed in an email address.
Example: ex´ample@ladedu.com is not a valid email address.
Can I insert a quotation mark (“) in my email address?
No.
Quotation marks are not characters allowed in email addresses.
Example: examp"le@ladedu.com is not a valid email address.
As an alternative, you can use double apostrophes or two accents grave to mimic quotation marks in an email address.
Example: examp''le@ladedu.com is valid.
(Can I use an apostrophe in an email address updated January 2024)