<p>MySQL raises ER_DATABASE_NAME (error 1631, SQLSTATE HY000) when a statement references a database name that is missing, null, too long, or contains illegal characters.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1631: ER_DATABASE_NAME occurs when CREATE, DROP, USE, or ALTER statements refer to a database name that is empty, invalid, or exceeds 64 characters. Provide a valid identifier or wrap reserved words in backticks to fix the problem.</p>
Database
The server throws ER_DATABASE_NAME (code 1631, SQLSTATE HY000) when it expects a valid database identifier but receives an empty string, NULL, or a name that violates MySQL naming rules. The error can appear in CREATE DATABASE, DROP DATABASE, USE, ALTER DATABASE, or GRANT statements.
Because the parser cannot map the invalid token to an existing or new schema, it halts execution and returns this general runtime error, preventing accidental creation of improperly named schemas.
Developers most often see ER_DATABASE_NAME during automated migrations, dynamic SQL execution, or interactive sessions where variables supply the database name. It also appears in CI pipelines when environment variables are missing or mis-typed.
In cloud environments, secrets managers sometimes return empty strings, triggering the same failure on deployment.
An unresolved ER_DATABASE_NAME stops schema creation or modification scripts, blocking application releases and data-pipeline jobs. Prompt correction prevents cascading failures across staging and production environments.
Ignoring the error can leave orphaned resources or partial deployments, increasing operational risk.
Statements like CREATE DATABASE ; or USE "" send an empty identifier, immediately triggering the error.
Names containing spaces, hyphens, or special symbols without backticks (e.g., sales-data) violate identifier rules.
Database names longer than 64 characters breach MySQL limits and cause ER_DATABASE_NAME.
Dynamic SQL that interpolates a NULL environment variable produces an undefined schema name.
Using words like order or group as schema names without backticks confuses the parser.
Indicates that the specified database does not exist when attempting to USE or drop it.
Raised when trying to create a database that already exists.
Occurs when the user has insufficient privileges to access the database.
No. The error halts the statement, so ignoring it leaves the desired database action incomplete.
Quoting fixes reserved words or special characters but will not help if the name is empty or too long.
Letters, digits, and underscores are safe. Avoid other symbols unless you wrap the name in backticks.
Galaxy highlights invalid identifiers, suggests valid names, and lets you lint queries before they run on production.
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