Japan has implemented new rules concerning the pronunciation of kanji characters used in children’s names. The move aims to prevent the proliferation of “kirakira” or “shiny” names, as parents have sought creative and unique names for their children. This practice can create administrative difficulties for local authorities and even lead to ridicule from other children.
Parents are now required to inform local authorities of their chosen phonetic reading for kanji characters used in their child’s name. The government intends to banish unusual and controversial pronunciations.
While the revisions to the family registry law do not completely prohibit kanji, the new requirement may limit the use of nonstandard and hard-to-pronounce names. This change seeks to simplify administrative procedures, such as digitizing records, but also to curtail the spread of unconventional names.
In recent years, parents have faced criticism for naming their children after famous characters, brands, or even words in foreign languages. Notable examples include names inspired by Pokémon, Winnie-the-Pooh, and even Olympic cities. Seiko Hashimoto, however, faced backlash for naming her sons after Greece and Turin, the cities that hosted the Olympic Games.
Parents argue that their naming choices represent individual flair within a society where conformity is emphasized. Some kanji characters offer linguistic flexibility, allowing for a wider range of pronunciation options.
Overall, this change seeks to establish standardized pronunciations for kanji characters used in names. Parents who choose names with unconventional pronunciations may be required to explain their choice or provide an alternative. The phonetic requirement is a rare change to Japan’s family registry system.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/27/japan-baby-name-ban-kirakira-flashy-names
