How can I validate a new users Name (not username)

Question

By default, Joomla will insure that a username and email is not already in use. I need to extend that to insure that the user provides a first name and last name (and is unique).

What is the best way to do this...I've explored using onUserBeforeSave in a user plugin, but this strikes me to be too late in the process.

Answer 1

Well, this solution doesn't sit well with me, but it does work using the user plugin:

public function onUserBeforeSave($oldUser, $isnew, $newUser) {
    if($test == 'fails') {
        $error = ' First and Last Name must be specified';
        throw new Exception($error);
    }
}