What are "kira-kira names" and why is the government regulating them?

In Japan, the so-called kira-kira names have always sparked controversy. The term literally means “shiny” or “sparkling,” but in practice refers to extravagant names that deviate from the norm. Some sound creative and modern, while others verge on the absurd: invented readings that no one can pronounce, direct references to international brands, or even tributes to anime characters.

Over time, this excess of originality ceased to be merely a cultural curiosity and began to worry authorities. After all, a name can be fun for parents, but what happens when it becomes unpronounceable at school, offensive in the workplace, or a source of embarrassment for the child? This tension between freedom and responsibility ultimately resulted, in 2025, in a new law that officially limited the registration of names considered problematic.

What are kira-kira names and how did they arise?

The wave of flashy names began in the 1990s and gained momentum in the 2000s. Young parents, influenced by globalization and pop culture, sought names that sounded modern or “international.” The term kira-kira 「キラキラネーム」caught on precisely because it conveys the idea of excessive shine.

The problem is that, many times, these names were illegible without explanation. Some carried heavy meanings, like the famous case in 1993 where a father tried to register his son as Akuma (悪魔), “demon.” Others sounded merely funny or embarrassing, such as attempts to name children after Pokémon characters or Disney princesses.

What changed with the new law in 2025

The revision of the Family Register Act (戸籍法 / Kosekihō) came into effect in 2025 and brought significant changes to how baby names are registered in Japan. The central goal of the reform was to ensure that names are legible, socially acceptable, and compatible with digital systems.

Mandatory reading declaration

Until then, parents only registered the name in kanji, without needing to officially provide the reading. This created problems, as many kanji have multiple possible pronunciations. Following the reform, parents must indicate the official reading in hiragana or katakana at the time of registration.

Acceptance only of recognized readings

It is not enough to invent any pronunciation. The government published a list of readings considered common usage for each kanji, based on official dictionaries and social practice. Readings not included on this list may be questioned or rejected.

Offensive and “anti-social” names

The law explicitly authorizes registrars (koseki tantōsha, responsible for registration) to deny names with negative, insulting connotations or that may cause social suffering to the child. Terms related to violence, demons, obscenities, or religious offenses fall into this category.

Brands, characters, and foreignisms

Names attempting to register commercial brands, products, or fictional characters also fall under the prohibition radar. This includes both names imported directly (like “Pikachu”) and kanji forced to reproduce foreign words, such as Naiki (Nike) or Raito (Light).

Digital standardization

A little-discussed point outside Japan is that the law also meets technological needs. With the complete digitization of koseki (family register), names need to be legible by electronic systems. Non-existent readings or characters without official encoding can freeze national databases, which was used as a strong argument for the reform.

Appeal process

If parents insist on an unusual reading, they can submit a written justification. The registry office forwards the case to the Ministry of Justice, which evaluates the legality of the request. In many cases, the refusal is upheld, but there is room for exceptions in regional readings or lesser-known traditional names.

Officially registered Kira-Kira names

Despite many strange names being rejected, there are hundreds of people with flashy names.

Seiko Hashimoto (former athlete/politician) gave her children names like Girishia (“Greece”) and Torino (“Turin”), which made the news, as she herself admitted that the kanji used would not be easy for many to read.

There are reports about people with rare surnames from Okinawa, or with “different” surnames on the mainland, who face discrimination or curiosity, precisely because the surname is uncommon.

Examples of rejected and criticized names

Although there is no definitive list published by the government, the Japanese and international press has highlighted various names that illustrate the problem. Some of them have been attempted in the past and rejected, while others would hardly pass under the new rules.

• Akuma (悪魔) – means “demon” and was barred in 1993.
• Pikachu – direct tribute to the character from Pokémon.
• Ōjisama (王子様) – literally “prince,” sounding more like a title than a name.
• Naiki (Nike) – phonetic adaptation of the sports brand.
• Lovely (ラブリー) – English word used as a proper name.
• Pū (プー) – reference to Winnie-the-Pooh.
• Daiya (ダイヤ / Diamond) – attempt to write “diamond” with kanji.
• Elsa – linked to the Disney character, but written with a forced reading.
• Purin (プリン) – “pudding” in Japanese, used as a child’s name.
• Naruto – although it is the name of a city and a food, it became marked by the anime.

These examples show that the limit is not on the word itself, but on the social impact and the viability of everyday use.

Common names with alternative readings

Not all kira-kira names attract attention for their writing. Often, parents use traditional kanji but register unusual readings. On paper, the name seems common, but when spoken aloud, it becomes something entirely different.

Known examples include 光, usually read as Hikari, registered as Raito (Light), or 愛, which is generally Ai, but has appeared as Love. There are also cases of 海 (umi, sea) read as Marin or Ocean, and 心 (kokoro, heart) used as Heart. In such situations, nicknames end up reinforcing the creative reading even more.

Others officially register a common name but use kanji that can have other readings to mean different words. Generally, Japanese nicknames end up being the result of alternative readings of Kanji. For example, the name Pikachu is written [光宙] but perhaps the registry office is obliged to accept Mihiro which is also written [光宙].

The new law gives registrars the freedom to reject certain situations, but can they navigate this game of names and ideograms? What do you think of this whole situation?