2021: Indonesian boy named ‘ABCDEF GHIJK’ went viral at vaccination drive; the unusual reason behind his parents’ choice (Image: AI)
Written out, ABCDEF GHIJK immediately resembles the first 11 letters of the English alphabet, making it unusual even before the explanation behind it is known. Because of the sheer visual oddity of the name, the story quickly travelled beyond Indonesia. Because of family traditions, cultural meanings, personal interests or, in this case, a love of word puzzles, parents may choose names.
His father’s reported fondness for crossword puzzles provided the inspiration. The boy was not actually named after the alphabet as a random sequence. The incident also illustrates how something as ordinary as a vaccination record can unexpectedly turn a private detail into a viral story. During the pandemic, vaccination drives brought millions of people into registration systems and public health settings, where names, photographs and other personal details sometimes became the starting point for unusual online stories. His story is a reminder that unusual names can carry much more than shock value. And for one Indonesian boy, a crossword-loving father turned the alphabet into something that would appear on his identity documents for life. His name begins like a spelling exercise, but the reason behind it was far more personal. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
A vaccination appointment in Indonesia turned into an unexpected name-check in 2021 when health officials came across a 12-year-old whose name looked less like a person’s identity and more like the beginning of an English lesson: ABCDEF GHIJK Zuzu. The boy was identified during a Covid-19 vaccination drive in Muara Enim district, South Sumatra, and his unusual name quickly spread across social media and international news outlets. 10 Sept 2026 | 12:19 But there was a story behind those 11 consecutive letters. The name reportedly surprised officials when the boy arrived for his Covid-19 vaccination. The Mirror also reported on the case in October 2021, describing how the 12-year-old attracted attention after his name appeared during his vaccination appointment.
Because he was a crossword-puzzle enthusiast, local reports quoted his father, Zulfahmi, explaining that he had chosen the alphabet-inspired name. What initially looked like an elaborate joke was therefore a deliberate choice by his family. The Indian Express reported that officials discovered the name when the student attended the vaccination drive organised by local police.
The final name, “Zuzu”, was derived from the names of his parents, Zuhro and Zulfahmi, according to reports. The boy’s full name was ABCDEF GHIJK Zuzu. The unusual first and middle names, meanwhile, were linked to his father’s love of crossword puzzles.