Get Over Nike, Pikachu And Pooh, Please: Japan Tells Parents To Pick Normal Baby Names

Parents in Japan can no longer give their children unusual or creatively pronounced names, following the implementation of new government guidelines aimed at curbing the rise of so-called kira-kira (sparkly or glittery) names.

The updated regulations impose limits on how kanji characters- the Chinese-derived characters used in Japanese names- can be pronounced. While parents are still allowed to choose from a list of approximately 3,000 kanji, they must now adhere to traditional or widely accepted pronunciations.

This move targets a growing trend where parents have assigned unconventional readings to kanji, resulting in names such as Naiki (pronounced like Nike), Pikachu, Kitty, Pudding, Daiya (diamond), and Pu (from Winnie-the-Pooh).

Japan’s Ministry of Justice said that all names in Japan’s family registration system must now include clearly defined phonetic readings that align with cultural norms. Parents who submit nonstandard name readings may be required to justify their choices to local authorities. If deemed inappropriate, officials can recommend more traditional alternatives, the order states.

All Japanese residents will receive an official mail requesting them to confirm the phonetic readings of their names and if errors or inconsistencies are found, individuals will have one year to submit correction requests, the order added.

New Naming Rules Spark Debate In Japan

This is not the first time strict naming rules have sparked debate in Japan. The nation’s unique legal mandate for married couples to share the same surname continues to draw contention. Under current Japanese law, wives typically adopt their husband’s surname, a tradition reinforced by the lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriages.

The new rules come amidst a trend of increasing experimentation in baby names, with a 2022 study analyzing local newsletter data over the past four decades revealing a notable rise in “unusual names."