{
  "id": 6848623,
  "title": "News in Easy English: Some parents abroad giving their babies 'sparkly' Japanese names",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/news-in-easy-english-some-parents-abroad-giving-their-babies-sparkly",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T02:37:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260912/p2a/00m/0na/001000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Germany, some parents have been naming their children after well-known brands like Ikea, Fanta, and Chanel. Recently, Japanese-inspired names such as Taro and Kasai have also gained popularity overseas. In Japan, a new rule introduced in May 2025 requires names to be written using katakana script. This regulation has brought attention to \"kira-kira\" names, which are characterized by their unique readings and sometimes resemble foreign or fictional character names.\n\nThe New York Times and the German magazine Der Spiegel have reported on this development. Examples cited include the use of kanji characters in names like Pikachu, Nike, and Kitty. However, such unique names are not exclusive to Japan; they are also observed in Europe and the United States. Knud Bielefeld, a resident of Ahrensburg, northern Germany, and a name researcher, notes that while these names are uncommon, some parents are drawn to them, much like their Japanese counterparts.\n\nOutside Japan, instances of unique names can be found in various countries. For instance, in 2024, a child in Britain was named Everest, mirroring the name of the world's highest mountain. In the United States, the name Kasai, meaning fire, has seen an increase in usage among boys, with several hundred children bearing this name in 2025. The name is believed to be derived from the Japanese term for a powerful fire that causes destruction.\n\nDespite the rising trend of unique names, courts in some countries can deny them if they pose a risk of bullying. For example, in France in 2015, a court rejected the name Nutella for a girl, as Nutella is a popular chocolate spread. Similarly, in Sweden in 1996, a parent attempted to use an overly long name with 43 letters, no vowels, and a number, intending it to be pronounced Albin. However, this application was not approved.",
  "summary": "BERLIN (Mainichi) -- In Germany, some parents have named their babies \"Ikea,\" \"Fanta\" and \"Chanel.\" These are names of a big furniture shop, a soft dr",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}