Legal glossary

Street name

Street name: Holding securities in the name of a broker or a nominee, such as Cede & Co., rather than in the investor's own name. The investor is the beneficial owner and keeps the economic and voting rights through the broker.

Street name — reading legal guides at home

What street name means

In practice, you will see street name in pleadings, motions, orders and court rules. The definition above explains the general meaning. Even so, the meaning can shift with context. Therefore, always read it alongside the rule or document where it appears.

Where street name comes up

The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.

Read the source: Cede & Co..

How to research the term

To research street name, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.

You can read the current federal court rules online for free.

Related legal terms

  • Statutes at Large: the official chronological publication of every law and concurrent resolution enacted by Congress, arranged by the order of enactment and cited by volume and page, such as 48 Stat. 112.
  • Stay: a court order pausing proceedings or the enforcement of a judgment.
  • Stipulation: an agreement between the parties on a procedural or factual matter, often filed with the court.
  • Strawman: in sovereign-citizen and redemption theories, a claimed separate legal entity represented by a person's name written in capital letters. We have not found a statute or court decision recognizing such an entity.

Why precise terms matter

Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.

Sources

Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24

Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.