diff --git a/tools/lib/capitalization.py b/tools/lib/capitalization.py
index 03917d1e75..fd38834d60 100644
--- a/tools/lib/capitalization.py
+++ b/tools/lib/capitalization.py
@@ -101,9 +101,10 @@ IGNORED_PHRASES = [
     r"in 1 hour",
     r"in 20 minutes",
     r"in 3 hours",
-    # these are used as topics
+    # these are used as channel or topic names
     r"^new channels$",
     r"^channel events$",
+    r"^general$",
     # These are used as example short names (e.g. an uncapitalized context):
     r"^marketing$",
     r"^cookie$",
diff --git a/zerver/actions/create_realm.py b/zerver/actions/create_realm.py
index 4d28bac377..8f1f6fee31 100644
--- a/zerver/actions/create_realm.py
+++ b/zerver/actions/create_realm.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from typing import Any, Dict, Optional
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.db import transaction
 from django.utils.timezone import now as timezone_now
+from django.utils.translation import gettext as _
 
 from confirmation import settings as confirmation_settings
 from zerver.actions.message_send import internal_send_stream_message
@@ -280,7 +281,7 @@ def do_create_realm(
     # Create stream once Realm object has been saved
     new_stream_announcements_stream = ensure_stream(
         realm,
-        Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME,
+        str(Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME),
         stream_description="Everyone is added to this stream by default. Welcome! :octopus:",
         acting_user=None,
     )
diff --git a/zerver/lib/onboarding.py b/zerver/lib/onboarding.py
index 03ce652a20..b40dba0707 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/onboarding.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/onboarding.py
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ def send_initial_realm_messages(realm: Realm) -> None:
                 "This is a message on channel #**{default_notification_channel_name}** with the "
                 "topic `topic demonstration`."
             )
-        ).format(default_notification_channel_name=Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME)
+        ).format(default_notification_channel_name=str(Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME))
 
         content2_of_topic_demonstration_topic_name = (
             _("Topics are a lightweight tool to keep conversations organized.")
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ def send_initial_realm_messages(realm: Realm) -> None:
             previous message."
             )
         ).format(
-            default_notification_channel_name=Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME,
+            default_notification_channel_name=str(Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME),
             start_topic_help_url="/help/introduction-to-topics#how-to-start-a-new-topic",
         )
 
@@ -321,22 +321,22 @@ they can be disabled. [Learn more]({zulip_update_announcements_help_url}).
 
     welcome_messages: List[Dict[str, str]] = [
         {
-            "stream": Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME,
+            "stream": str(Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME),
             "topic_name": "topic demonstration",
             "content": content1_of_topic_demonstration_topic_name,
         },
         {
-            "stream": Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME,
+            "stream": str(Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME),
             "topic_name": "topic demonstration",
             "content": content2_of_topic_demonstration_topic_name,
         },
         {
-            "stream": realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME,
+            "stream": str(realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME),
             "topic_name": "swimming turtles",
             "content": content_of_swimming_turtles_topic_name,
         },
         {
-            "stream": Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME,
+            "stream": str(Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME),
             "topic_name": str(Realm.ZULIP_UPDATE_ANNOUNCEMENTS_TOPIC_NAME),
             "content": content_of_zulip_update_announcements_topic_name,
         },
diff --git a/zerver/models/realms.py b/zerver/models/realms.py
index a5c3be5427..8d1ee974b8 100644
--- a/zerver/models/realms.py
+++ b/zerver/models/realms.py
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ class Realm(models.Model):  # type: ignore[django-manager-missing] # django-stub
     # Defaults for new users
     default_language = models.CharField(default="en", max_length=MAX_LANGUAGE_ID_LENGTH)
 
-    DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME = "general"
+    DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME = gettext_lazy("general")
     STREAM_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION_TOPIC_NAME = gettext_lazy("channel events")
     new_stream_announcements_stream = models.ForeignKey(
         "Stream",
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_signup.py b/zerver/tests/test_signup.py
index 93065fba5d..89aefa1db4 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_signup.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_signup.py
@@ -1303,7 +1303,7 @@ class RealmCreationTest(ZulipTestCase):
 
         # Check welcome messages
         for stream_name, text, message_count in [
-            (Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME, "with the topic", 4),
+            (str(Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME), "with the topic", 4),
         ]:
             stream = get_stream(stream_name, realm)
             recipient = stream.recipient
@@ -1742,7 +1742,7 @@ class RealmCreationTest(ZulipTestCase):
         # with_the_topic_in_italian = "con l'argomento"
 
         # for stream_name, text, message_count in [
-        #     (Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME, with_the_topic_in_italian, 4),
+        #     (str(Realm.DEFAULT_NOTIFICATION_STREAM_NAME), with_the_topic_in_italian, 4),
         # ]:
         #     stream = get_stream(stream_name, realm)
         #     recipient = stream.recipient