Chinese baby named 'at' symbol

A Chinese couple has tried to name their baby boy '@', despite an official ban on names using foreign alphabets and minority Chinese languages.

The couple said that using the internationally recognised email address symbol as a name for their son is no gimmick but reflects their love for him.

To a Mandarin speaker, saying the word 'at' in English sounds like 'ai ta' which means 'love him'.

Speaking 'Chinglesh' and adopting Western lifestyles has become fashionable among China's growing middleclass in recent years.

Officials at China's State Language Commission have not said whether the name will be deemed acceptable or not.

If he is allowed to keep the name, baby @ will find creating an email account a problem as most providers prohibit the use of special symbols as part of the user name.

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