Pokémon fans who have been browsing through the Pokédex for baby names will need to start over, at least if they're living in Japan. A new law going into effect soon will require parents to submit the pronunciation of their child's name to a committee for approval.

In Japan in recent years, there has been an uptick in what are called "Kira Kira" names, or names designed to be flashy or eye-catching. These names are often derived from pop culture, such as the name Pikachu, while others are simply taken from English words or names from other cultures, such as the apparently popular "Shiizaa", an approximation of the name Caesar, which was written using an alternate reading for the Kanji for Emperor. While these names are certainly strange, they can actually be much worse than merely just "strange," at least for the children who bear these Kira Kira names.

Japan's New Law Bans Children From Being Named Pikachu

After Years of Deliberation, the New Law Aims to Curb Bullying

According to the Sri Lanka Guardian, one of the problems that these Kira Kira names have is that children with such unique names are often bullied by their classmates. There's even reportedly a strong correlation between Kira Kira names and emergency room visits, although whether the names are a direct cause remains to be seen. Famous cases of children with unusual names date back as far as 1994, which sparked controversy over the kind of names that should be allowed for children. After years of deliberating on the issue of freedom of expression versus protecting children, it was finally decided.

Japanese names are typically written in Kanji, but they may use more obscure readings than the primary way of solely reading the character. Kira Kira names often use alternate pronunciations to create combinations of Kanji that look normal, initially, but are read in such a way as to evoke a foreign name or word, like Purin (pudding). The law will require parents to now submit the intended pronunciation of the child's name to the government committee, who will judge whether it is acceptable or "too extreme" for a child. Names like Pikachu have been explicitly banned.

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Should the Government Decide How Children Are Named?

The intent behind the law is purely about protecting children from bullying, but critics say that such a law is stifling the natural evolution of language and is an overreach. While preventing children from being given ridiculous names will certainly help to cut down on bullying over unusual names, it's debatable whether this is the best approach. Many feel that anti-bullying PSAs and instructions could help with the problem far more, without stifling expression.

The situation is certainly a delicate one; an overly conservative naming committee could shoot down names that would be perfectly acceptable out of fear, while one that's overly permissive may as well not exist. For now, at least, it may be for the best that children aren't named after Pokémon, even if that limits parental freedoms a bit.