The North Korean government has issued guidance that bans parents from giving their children names that have capitalist connotations or are the same as South Korean actors seen on television programmes smuggled into the North.

Among the first names that are now banned are “Rich Man”, “Money” or “10,000 Won”, after the Korean currency, reported the Asia Press web site, which operates a network of informal journalists who communicate from the North by mobile phone.

The guidance is understood to have come all the way from Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader. Through the bureaucracy of the repressive state, parents have been told they are no longer permitted to give their children “names that do not match the values of socialism”.

From now, the names of all newborn children must be registered in traditional Chinese characters, as is customary, and the authorities will be permitted to reject any that they declare to have an inappropriate meaning.

“Because North Korean people are so impoverished and have such hard lives, parents are giving their children money-related names in the hopes they will become rich," an Asia Press reporter said.

“In addition, there has been a significant increase in the number of children with ‘cool’ South Korean-style names."

Despite efforts by the regime to stop South Korean television programmes, films and music getting into the North - including stepping up punishments for anyone caught with outlawed material - an increasing number of people in the North have access to shows on smuggled DVDs and thumb drives. Many are floated over the border in helium-filled balloons by defectors attempting to show North Koreans life beyond their borders.

Traditionally, boys in the North have been given names that include the Chinese character “cheol”, which can be translated as “wise” or “iron”. Girls are often given a name that includes the character “sook”, meaning “virtuous” or “pure”, but these names are increasingly seen as old-fashioned.

Asia Press reporters say the orders are generating resentment among ordinary people because the government does not even permit them to choose the names of their own children.