diff --git a/frame_test.go b/frame_test.go
index a6001e8d2..fc5c01570 100644
--- a/frame_test.go
+++ b/frame_test.go
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ func TestFrame_NameValidation(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	invalidFrameNames := []string{
 		"",
+		"123abc",
 		"x.y",
 		"_foo",
 		"-bar",
@@ -131,6 +132,7 @@ func TestFrame_RowLabelValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		"UPPERCASE",
 	}
 	invalidRowLabels := []string{
+		"123abc",
 		"x.y",
 		"_foo",
 		"-bar",
diff --git a/pilosa.go b/pilosa.go
index 6271bd8fa..dd7402677 100644
--- a/pilosa.go
+++ b/pilosa.go
@@ -47,10 +47,10 @@ var (
 )
 
 // Regular expression to validate index and frame names.
-var nameRegexp = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9_-]{0,64}$`)
+var nameRegexp = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-z][a-z0-9_-]{0,64}$`)
 
 // Regular expression to validate row and column labels.
-var labelRegexp = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9_-]{0,64}$`)
+var labelRegexp = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_-]{0,64}$`)
 
 // ColumnAttrSet represents a set of attributes for a vertical column in an index.
 // Can have a set of attributes attached to it.