{"id":22273,"date":"2023-10-12T19:38:33","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T10:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/?p=22273"},"modified":"2025-01-06T19:03:52","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T10:03:52","slug":"20231012-22273","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/news\/20231012-22273\/","title":{"rendered":"Are weird baby names in Japan like Zeus and Hello Kitty really widespread enough to require law amendments?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>So-called \u201ckirakira names\u201d have been a controversial topic in Japan in recent years, with many criticizing the new tendency in naming children. However, a Japanese childcare professional sheds light on why this naming trend may not be as significant as it appears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Japan, the term kirakira name (lit. sparkly\/shiny name) refers to unconventional and unreadable names given to babies. Japanese names usually contain kanji characters, many of which have standard readings. However, legally, you are allowed to assign basically any reading to any given name, which sometimes leads to parents creating overly unique readings of their own, often referencing popular media or English words. With these relatively bizarre naming styles, a name that would normally be read Hikari can become Pikachu, and a name like Mio can transform into Melody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"http:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22277\" style=\"width:611px;height:407px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001-380x253.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001-696x464.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001-1068x712.jpeg 1068w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-001-630x420.jpeg 630w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><strong>How do you read this name?<\/strong> The literal meanings of the kanji in the name Mio are \u201cbeautiful\u201d and \u201csound,\u201d so as a kirakira name, it could be read Merodi (Melody) or even Rizumu (Rhythm).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to the unreadability and strangeness of these names, many people have criticized parents who choose to name their children in this way. In Japan, it&#8217;s generally considered better to blend into society and not &#8220;stick out,&#8221; so flashy names like these, while interesting, are likely to invite unwanted attention. In addition to the extra attention, kirakira names can lead to various inconveniences, such as mispronunciations and prejudice. With all of the potential problems that these names can cause, they\u2019ve become something of a hot topic in recent years. However, in a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/otonanswer.jp\/post\/179813\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">article<\/a> on kirakira names, childcare provider Masako Niikura suggests that the unconventional naming phenomenon may be receiving too much attention. She points out, &#8220;While kirakira names have been a topic of discussion in recent years, they are very uncommon, from my experience. I have encountered only one child whose name\u2019s reading I found a bit uncommon. It makes me wonder if there are as many children with kirakira names as people make it out to be.&#8221; In recent years, a rise in reports about kirakira names may have increased, however, it seems that these names are still quite rare to see in the real world, even for those working with children as a living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Niikura also shared the potential challenges faced by those with kirakira names. She mentions that while she believes parents who give their children these &#8216;sparkly&#8217; names do so with sincere intentions, they should be aware that mispronunciations and potential bullying may be issues. According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bengo4.com\/c_18\/n_16329\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">survey<\/a> conducted by the Japanese legal news site Bengo4 on the regulation of names, approximately 80% of respondents supported naming restrictions against kirakira names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002-600x338.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002-380x214.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002-696x392.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002-1068x601.jpeg 1068w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-002-747x420.jpeg 747w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kirakira names Naito (Night) and Maikeru (Micheal)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In June of this year, Japan made revisions to its Family Register Law, pertaining to an official document that records immediate family members. Starting in 2024, this register will require the inclusion of furigana (a phonetic notation on how to pronounce kanji characters) alongside names. With this amendment to the Family Register Law, naming regulations are also expected to be implemented, potentially reducing the occurrence of kirakira names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The amended law on naming is said to include various restrictions, such as prohibiting names with kanji meanings opposite to their readings, names that are easily misread, and names that have no relation to the meaning or reading of their kanji characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While many people support the revision of naming laws, some believe the new restrictions are overreaching and unnecessary. Bengo4&#8217;s survey on naming regulations also mentioned that some participants felt the government shouldn&#8217;t dictate how children should be named, noting that they believed that parents should have the freedom to name their children based on their love and judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003.png 1200w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003-380x214.png 380w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003-150x85.png 150w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003-696x392.png 696w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003-1068x602.png 1068w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231012-22273-003-746x420.png 746w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This baby&#8217;s name is Anaru which, unfortunately,  is the same pronunciation as anal in Japanese.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The kirakira names of children seem to be created with the good intentions of their parents. However, while these names may have originated from a place of love, children growing up with these unconventional names may face name-related challenges later in life. It will be interesting to see if the kirakira trend will take another form once restrictions regarding naming are implemented, or if names like Doremi (like the musical scale) and Anaru (sounds like anal) will cease to exist altogether.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As so-called \u201ckirakira names\u201d grow into more and more of a controversial topic in Japan, some call for legal regulations for unconventional names, while others don&#8217;t see the issue as such a big deal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":22296,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[17,66],"class_list":["post-22273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-japan-related-news","tag-non-gaming-news"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Are weird baby names in Japan like Zeus and Hello Kitty really widespread enough to require law amendments? 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