Should weird names be allowed?

[Anagaharad]

I was reading an article from NZ about a judge who took custody of a girl so that she could change her name. What was the poor kids name? "Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii" The kid was 9 years old and wouldnt tell anyone her real name because she was embarrassed by it.

Now, here is the thing I wonder about: should the government be allowed to do that? I mean, obviously, getting a weird name sucks (hell, I had enough trouble with the name Adele) but isnt the government overstepping itself? I know in Germany, they have the right to make you rename your kid (Adolf is one of the banned names).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080724/ap_on_re_au_an/new_zealand_bizarre_names

[l3aby Satan]

I feel the goverment is overstepping their boundries. They should not be able to do that. Everything happens for a reason. Plus later on the child can change their name if they want. The goverment shouldnt take away the right away from crazy parents right to choose their child names. Would you want your rights taken away? I think not.

But they always have the option to change their name later on.

[Anagaharad]

Yeah, but is it ok for a kid to be tortured by his peers until he is 18 and can legally change it?

Some of the names mentioned in the article were : Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Keenan Got Lucy, Sex Fruit, and Number 16 Bus Shelter.

[GreyWanderer]

You know why I need to take command of the world? To stop retards from doing things like this.

The government and any kind of authority figure should be stepping in to look after its people. From ridiculous names to heinous crimes. Seriously, what kind of a parent are you to name your child, your flesh and blood, something so stupid.

[Anagaharad]

You know why I need to take command of the world? To stop retards from doing things like this.

The government and any kind of authority figure should be stepping in to look after its people. From ridiculous names to heinous crimes. Seriously, what kind of a parent are you to name your child, your flesh and blood, something so stupid.

Tell you what................when you buy a chunck of land to make your own country within a country, let me know. I will submit to Kool-aid, domination, and brainwashing as long as you give me a pet goat.


http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/Anagaharad/goat.jpg

[GreyWanderer]

Done, but the goat needs to be sacrificed. You know, just to ensure my vengeful hedonistic wrath.

[Anagaharad]

Noooooooooo.............the goat is my pet. Find other goats to sacrifice.

[PrincessParadox]

Strange names are the product of a deranged mind. Naming your cat Premium Quality, or giving yourself the screen name SexiSluttyGirl69 is one thing. But I think you'd have to be pretty cruel/delusional/attention-seeking to name your child something like that. Want to stand out? Fine. Change your own name. I think the government should step in in these sorts of situations because that's their job, and the right of the child to have a decent childhood should come before the so-called 'right' of some stupid jerks who don't even deserve to be parents.

I'll trade you a goat for a Siamese cat.

[Anagaharad]

I dont want a siamese. they have bad tempers, i hear.

Goats are way cuter.

I have rolled the argument around in my head for awhile (kids childhood vs government overstepping its bounds) and I think that they should lower the age at which you can legally change your name. Kids have more sense than a lot of people give them credit for and if a kid hates their totally screwball name, then they should be allowed to change it.
That way the government isnt overdoing it and the kid doesnt get tortured.

I knew a guy who's name was Ashley (his mom was a big Gone with the Wind nut) and got teased mercilessly. Finally, at the age of 10, his mom relented and he got his name legally changed to Ashton (his choice). His sisters still have the names Scarlett and Melanie.

[Usual_Suspect11]

I know two twin boys named Casey and Lacey.

I think there should be some way for the government to intercede for names like those when the kid is being teased. Put it under child abuse or something or rather.

[Anagaharad]

Casey............ I guess that could be an either/or name.

but Lacey???

WTF, Seriously.

[Dismal Dollie]

Know male Caseys and Laceys, those I don't have a problem with.

Talula does the Hula from Hawaii? Yeah, that's not a name.

Why didn't the girl just go by Talula? Why did she have to tell people her whole name? Why did officials at school even put that stupid name down on the registration?

I don't think that there should be laws against naming your kids that, but perhaps the officials doing the paperwork should stop for five seconds to say the necessary WTF conversation to change these peoples' minds?

[PrincessParadox]

If I had to give myself another name it would be Casey.

Does Clementine count as a cruel name?

[Kute Kitty]

One of the names which was not allowed, according to the article I read, was "fat boy". That really is cruel and unnecessary.

I think that, in cases where there is a big bullying issue and the name is genuinely ridiculous, children should be allowed to choose another name for themselves - perhaps with the consent of an adult family member - not necessarily the parents, but an aunt/uncle/grandparent. Also with the understanding that they can't change their name to something similarly ridiculous, or the name of their favourite comic book hero.

When I was a kid I always wanted to change my name to Caroline, because everyone called me that anyway and it really pissed me off (what with my name being Carolyn). I had the chance to change my name recently, after I divorced and changed back to my maiden name, and - after some serious thought - decided not to. I've grown to not dislike my name. Not saying that I like it exactly, just that I'm used to it :)

[Dismal Dollie]

If I had to give myself another name it would be Casey.

Does Clementine count as a cruel name?


I don't think so.

And as a Casey, I've got to say, it's one hell of a boring name. I've had to exaggerate my personality to make up for my name, or at least that's how I explain to myself my own loud character.

[WingsofFire]

Think the government should get to step in first place, is get the person who is filling in the birth certificate in to say "umm, no I'm not putting that sir/madam, please choose something else."

There are some stupid names out there, and some unique, but its up to the parents to think about it deeply, but hey, not everyone in the world has common sense.