Is Kazakhstan really naming a nuclear plant after a Counter-Strike map?

Kazakhstan is holding a public contest to name its first nuclear power plant — and one tongue-in-cheek suggestion has captured attention.

Journalist Askar Ismailov proposed calling the facility «Nuke,» after the well-known map from the video game Counter-Strike. In the game, battles take place at the fictional Cedar Creek nuclear plant in the U.S.

«Well, it’s worth a shot. And yes, you can submit your idea through the eGov mobile app. Applications are being accepted until Oct. 10,» Ismailov wrote, reminding citizens about the competition.

The idea quickly resonated online. Social media users joked that «Nuke» was the perfect fit — not only as a nod to gaming culture, but also because the word itself refers to a nuclear bomb.

Still, officials are likely to lean toward more traditional options. Suggested names include «Alash,» a patriotic reference to the Kazakh people, and «Zhetysu,» meaning «Seven Rivers,» a historic region in the country.