Her name is 5 Star Billions Increase Dydda, and less than a week after her birth she is already the subject of one of Kenya's loudest online debates.

Gospel rapper Eko Dydda introduced his first daughter in an Instagram post on Sunday, November 1, writing: "It's a girl! Welcome baby 5 Star Billions Increase Dydda." He also revealed he had composed a song for her and asked fellow fathers for tips on raising a girl, K24 Digital reported.

Kibe weighs in

The name has drawn mixed reactions, and the sharpest came from controversial media personality Andrew Kibe. According to The Standard's TNX Africa, Kibe asked on social media, "Umeita mtoto jina gani?" (What name have you given the child?), arguing that children have to grow up alongside other children with ordinary names.

His concern, shared by many commenters, was how a child with such a name might be treated by peers at school and beyond.

'Power in naming'

Eko Dydda pushed back in an Instagram post on Wednesday, November 4. He argued that many parents are happy to give businesses grand names but shy away from doing the same for their children, saying people are "more afraid of calling their kids great names in fear of their failure."

He insisted there is "POWER IN NAMING", K24 Digital reported.

The baby is not the first of his children to carry an unusual name. Her three older brothers are called:

  • Keep It Real
  • I Am Blessed
  • Blessed Nations

A choice rooted in history

The artist has previously explained that he chose his own stage name to rise above tribal divisions, and that the 2007-08 post-election violence made him avoid names that tie his children to a particular community.

The debate has split social media. Some users say parents have every right to choose names that express their faith and hopes, while others side with Kibe, warning that children are the ones who carry the weight of their parents' creativity.

In Kenya, a child's name is entered at birth registration and can later be changed through a formal process, including a deed poll, once the person is an adult.

For now, little 5 Star Billions Increase has a song, a viral name and a father who says he would not have it any other way.

Photos: Eko Dydda via K24 Digital (Instagram/Facebook). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.