JAKARTA, Aug 9 — Imagine introducing yourself as Doraemon — and having to explain that, yes, it really is your name.

For at least 16 people in Indonesia, that is apparently an everyday reality, with official population records revealing just how deeply Japanese manga and anime have worked their way into the country’s naming habits.

According to The Japan Times, an Indonesian official in charge of the country’s resident registry revealed on social media that a surprising number of citizens bear names inspired by some of Japan’s best-known fictional characters.

Among them are 16 people named Doraemon, after the blue, earless robotic cat who has delighted generations of children in the blockbuster manga and anime franchise of the same name.

And Doraemon is far from alone.

Another 181 Indonesians are named Nobita, sharing a name with the famously hapless schoolboy and Doraemon’s closest companion.

But when it comes to sheer numbers, the ninjas appear to have the upper hand.

A total of 347 Indonesians have been registered with either Uzumaki or Naruto in their names — both taken from Naruto Uzumaki, the orange-clad hero of the hugely popular manga and anime series Naruto.

Pirates have also made their mark on Indonesia’s civil registry.

There are 79 people named D. Luffy, apparently inspired by Monkey D. Luffy, the endlessly optimistic, rubber-limbed hero at the centre of the One Piece manga and anime phenomenon.

The figures offer an unusual glimpse into the reach of Japanese popular culture in Indonesia, where manga and anime have attracted generations of devoted fans.

What may once have seemed an unconventional choice for a child’s name also reflects changing attitudes towards naming.

According to local media cited by The Japan Times, naming trends in Indonesia have shifted over time, with younger parents not necessarily feeling bound to give their children traditional Indonesian names.

That has seemingly opened the door to inspiration from far beyond the family tree — including comic books, television screens and some of Japan’s most famous fictional worlds.

And while plenty of parents may have watched Doraemon, Naruto or Luffy on screen, a select few clearly decided fandom alone was not enough.

They put it on the birth certificate.