Getting error "The ':' character, hexadecimal value 0x3A, cannot be included in a name"

Hi,
Please help.

I am getting the error "The ':' character, hexadecimal value 0x3A, cannot be included in a name" when i am creating a XElement.

Like:

XElement

root = newXElement(nodeName, string.Empty);

Value in nodeName is Abc:Xyz

Then it gives me error The ':' character, hexadecimal value 0x3A, cannot be included in a name

Please suggest