The news all over is about how a judge in Tennessee ordered a young baby to have his name changed from Messiah, citing that the Christian's Jesus was the only Messiah. I honestly can't see this holding up in higher courts, though it's certainly not the first time a name change has been court ordered. The case I remember most was from a few years ago when a 9 year old girl asked a judge to have her name changed. She was so embarrassed by her name that she asked her friends to call her K. Her parents chosen name for her? Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii. Yes, that's pretty bad.
The truth is, there are bad baby name choices made every day. But what's a bad name choice for me, might be a great name choice for you. I don't forsee lots of people having to change names because of judges. That said, should anyone have to change their names based on what the courts say? Is there any name that is really that bad? I mean, even Talula had asked for a name change, not just someone randomly doing it for her. Is the religious aspect an appropriate one? After all, there are babies named Adonai and Muhammad, even Jesus (no matter how you pronounce it).
There aren't many laws on the books about naming babies. Most of the legal proceedings that you hear about are adults changing their names who are denied. In some states you have to spell out numerals, some you have to have letters only, no symbols. Other than that - it's all fair game.
What's your take?
Related:
What are you allowed to name your baby? originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 at 08:13:47.
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