Validation

Validation

i am using the  * jQuery Validation Plugin 1.8.0 

i came across 1 small problem 

i need to validate this input field <input id="awf_field-123456789-first" name="name (awf_first)" />

but when i do 

rules: {
name (awf_first): "required",
                }
i get a error 

does any one know how i can check the value of this with out changing the field name?