A Chinese couple recently tried to name their baby @, according to Li Yuming, the deputy chief of China’s State Language Commission.
He didn’t mention whether or not the name @ was approved, but it seems unlikely: earlier this year, the Chinese government put a ban on names that include foreign letters and symbols.
People in China often use the English word “at” to refer to the symbol, but their pronunciation — which sounds something like ai ta — also means “love him” to Mandarin speakers.
Sources: What’s in @ name? Chinese watchdog queries parents’ choice, Chinese parents choose to name their baby @