diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2e7b1bd..461185b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -307,6 +307,37 @@ users:
 ```
 
 
+### Matching with a regular expression
+
+Instead of relying on `hosts`, you can use `regex` to employ a regular expression, which is very useful for avoiding having to repeatedly edit the configuration file to register a new host name.
+
+```yaml
+host: "0.0.0.0"
+port: 5354
+username: "dyndnsd"
+group: "dyndnsd"
+db: "/dyndnsd/db.json"
+debug: false
+domain: "dyn.dc-air.home.arpa"
+updater:
+  name: "command_with_bind_zone"
+  params:
+    zone_file: "/nsd/zones/static/dyn.dc-air.home.arpa.zone"
+    command: "doas service nsd reload"
+    ttl: "5m"
+    dns: "ns.dc-air.home.arpa."
+    email_addr: "admin.example.org"
+users:
+  myuser:
+    password: "superhypermegas3kurepassword1234"
+    regex: '^[a-z][0-9]\.dyn\.dc\-air\.home\.arpa$'
+```
+
+However, when using `regex`, `hosts` is simply ignored if defined, so you must choose one or the other. Recommendation: use `regex` for scripts or programs and `hosts` for regular users.
+
+**Note**: Please note that when dyndnsd evaluates the regular expression, the `Regexp::EXTENDED` and `Regexp::IGNORECASE` options are used.
+
+
 ## License
 
 dyndnsd.rb is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0. See LICENSE for more information.
diff --git a/lib/dyndnsd.rb b/lib/dyndnsd.rb
index 154e0e4..aa8782e 100644
--- a/lib/dyndnsd.rb
+++ b/lib/dyndnsd.rb
@@ -218,9 +218,22 @@ module Dyndnsd
       # we can trust this information since user was authorized by middleware
       user = env['REMOTE_USER']
 
-      # check for hostnames that the user does not own
-      forbidden_hostnames = hostnames - @users[user].fetch('hosts', [])
-      return [422, {'X-DynDNS-Response' => 'host_forbidden'}, []] if forbidden_hostnames.any?
+      if @users[user].key?('regex')
+        pattern = @users[user].fetch('regex')
+        begin
+          regex = Regexp.new(pattern, Regexp::IGNORECASE | Regexp::EXTENDED)
+        rescue RegexpError => e
+          Dyndnsd.logger.warn "Invalid regex pattern '#{pattern}': #{e.message}"
+          return [422, {'X-DynDNS-Response' => 'host_forbidden'}, []]
+        end
+        # check for hostnames that match the regex
+        matches = hostnames.any? { |str| regex.match?(str) }
+        return [422, {'X-DynDNS-Response' => 'host_forbidden'}, []] if !matches
+      else
+        # check for hostnames that the user does not own
+        forbidden_hostnames = hostnames - @users[user].fetch('hosts', [])
+        return [422, {'X-DynDNS-Response' => 'host_forbidden'}, []] if forbidden_hostnames.any?
+      end
 
       if params['offline'] == 'YES'
         myips = []