TN judge: can't name baby 'Messiah'- renames child Martin

[EVT1]

www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-baby-messiah-20130811,0,5368290.story

     "The word Messiah is a title, and it's a title that has only been earned by one person, and that one person is Jesus Christ," the judge told WBIR-TV, a local channel.

Wow- the 1st amendment takes a double beating from someone who should know better.  As if 'Messiah' is that bad of a name considering some of the other crazy names out there.

[Shooby]

  I don't think it is any business of the govt to tell parents what they can or can't name their kids.

[Opti]

I had wondered what the name was, but IMO Messiah is a concept not a title meant for just Jesus Christ. Epic fail by the judge. I wonder if it will be reversed without more money spent by the parents.


Its a heavy name to bear though and telling that our religious judge picked Martin (Trayvon Martin) as a preferred M name to use instead of Michael or various other choices.
I wonder if we will hear more about this story or not.

[resolution]

Martin was the mother's last name, it was unrelated to the Zimmerman shooting. Not surprising that in the dispute over whether the child got the mother's or father's last name, the judge went with the father.

ETA I agree that the judge overstepped on getting rid of the first name, which wasn't under dispute, but what kind of idiot goes to court with the other parent over what to name their kid?

[Opti]

but what kind of idiot goes to court with the other parent over what to name their kid?

One who can't resolve the issue out of court and doesn't want to rely on Ann Landers or a message board for a final ruling.

So the name ended up being Mother's lastname Father's lastname for now? Are they even married or living together? Any good URLs with more info?

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Aug 12, 2013 0:23:42 GMT -5 EVT1 said:

www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-baby-messiah-20130811,0,5368290.story

     "The word Messiah is a title, and it's a title that has only been earned by one person, and that one person is Jesus Christ," the judge told WBIR-TV, a local channel.

Wow- the 1st amendment takes a double beating from someone who should know better.  As if 'Messiah' is that bad of a name considering some of the other crazy names out there.

Yeah, the parents are supremely stupid, but that's the beauty of America. You can name your child The Messiah Adolf Hitler Jones if you want. Children are not the property of the state, and the state has NO say. That being said, HOW did they end up in front of a judge? This sounds vaguely like an urban legend I've read about 'black' names.

EDIT: oh, I see- parents were fighting over the name.  Well, that's a tough one because BOTH parents have EQUAL rights to name the child.

[resolution]

www.wbir.com/news/article/283997/2/Tennessee-Judge-orders-babys-name-be-changed-from-Messiah

[Opti]

FWIW, the OP link didn't work for me, although after I searched the site itself I got it.
From the article:

The mother, Jaleesa Martin, told WBIR that she and the boy's father had gone to the hearing in eastern Tennessee to argue over the boy's last name. Born Jan. 9, the boy was named Messiah Deshawn Martin, with his mother's last name.

Ballew decided otherwise. The judge renamed him Martin DeShawn McCullough, which includes both parents' names.

The judge explained her decision to WBIR-TV in an interview by citing the area's heavily Christian population.

“It could put him at odds with a lot of people, and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is," Ballew said.

According to U.S. Social Security Administration statistics, Messiah was the fourth-fastest-growing name for boys in the U.S. between 2011 and 2012.

In 2012, Messiah was the 387th most common name given to baby boys in the U.S.

[Opti]

Thanks for the link resolution. Given it came up during a child support case it seems to me that the judge really screwed up. If Mom will be raising the child without Dad it will be easier for the child and Mom to share the same lastname.

I would have left the first name alone and either affirmed Martin as the lastname
or did a hypen, McCullough-Martin. If Dad had primary custody or had at least 50% and was going to do school registrations, etc. I might switch the order of the hypen-nated name.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Aug 12, 2013 6:57:57 GMT -5 Opti said:

FWIW, the OP link didn't work for me, although after I searched the site itself I got it.
From the article:

The mother, Jaleesa Martin, told WBIR that she and the boy's father had gone to the hearing in eastern Tennessee to argue over the boy's last name. Born Jan. 9, the boy was named Messiah Deshawn Martin, with his mother's last name.

Ballew decided otherwise. The judge renamed him Martin DeShawn McCullough, which includes both parents' names.

The judge explained her decision to WBIR-TV in an interview by citing the area's heavily Christian population.

“It could put him at odds with a lot of people, and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is," Ballew said.

According to U.S. Social Security Administration statistics, Messiah was the fourth-fastest-growing name for boys in the U.S. between 2011 and 2012.

In 2012, Messiah was the 387th most common name given to baby boys in the U.S.

The judge overstepped her authority, clearly.  Further, the way I understand it- and I think Swamp could clear this up- the court is only supposed to 'see' the issues formally presented to the court.  The judge is supposed to- again, the way I understand it, and we all know I can be wrong- look at the matter before her about the last names, and should literally have blinders on to any other potential issues unless or until the are brought before the court?

[zibazinski]

This is the one case where France has it right. You are not allowed in France to name your child any name that would subject them to ridicule.

[fairlycrazy23]

Aug 12, 2013 7:17:37 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Aug 12, 2013 6:57:57 GMT -5 Opti said:

FWIW, the OP link didn't work for me, although after I searched the site itself I got it.
From the article:

The mother, Jaleesa Martin, told WBIR that she and the boy's father had gone to the hearing in eastern Tennessee to argue over the boy's last name. Born Jan. 9, the boy was named Messiah Deshawn Martin, with his mother's last name.

Ballew decided otherwise. The judge renamed him Martin DeShawn McCullough, which includes both parents' names.

The judge explained her decision to WBIR-TV in an interview by citing the area's heavily Christian population.

“It could put him at odds with a lot of people, and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is," Ballew said.

According to U.S. Social Security Administration statistics, Messiah was the fourth-fastest-growing name for boys in the U.S. between 2011 and 2012.

In 2012, Messiah was the 387th most common name given to baby boys in the U.S.

The judge overstepped her authority, clearly.  Further, the way I understand it- and I think Swamp could clear this up- the court is only supposed to 'see' the issues formally presented to the court.  The judge is supposed to- again, the way I understand it, and we all know I can be wrong- look at the matter before her about the last names, and should literally have blinders on to any other potential issues unless or until the are brought before the court?

I think when a child is involved the court is also the advocate for the child, so the court can consider what is in the best interest of the child.
But I don't agree with the decision.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Aug 12, 2013 7:41:33 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

This is the one case where France has it right. You are not allowed in France to name your child any name that would subject them to ridicule.

I disagree.  I think that is highly subjective.

EDIT: To clarify, I think it IS stupid- these parents giving these kids these um, "non-traditional" names.  

www.freakonomics.com/2013/04/08/how-much-does-your-name-matter-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/

[justme]

I just feel sorry for the kid. His parents can't even agree on a name. Just slapping your last name on the kid doesn't make you a good father, if you're a good father to the kid no one cares if he shares your last name.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Aug 12, 2013 10:55:11 GMT -5 justme said:

I just feel sorry for the kid. His parents can't even agree on a name. Just slapping your last name on the kid doesn't make you a good father, if you're a good father to the kid no one cares if he shares your last name.

I agree.  I've always been one for outclassing people such that it's painfully obvious.  It's not just a great life strategy, it is extremely rewarding and fulfilling.  I think had I made the mistake of having a child with someone I couldn't stand, I would fight for my rights as a father only to a point, and never for the sake of vanity.  When it came to my name, I believe that I would strive to be such a good father to the child- to the extent possible- that the child would grow up to CHOOSE my name for themselves.  I would NEVER talk down about the mom- I would always let her show her rear end without pushback.  A great way to respond to denigration is to state: well, all that matters is what YOU think.  After hearing your mom say that, do you believe it to be true?  Questions are great teachers.  Kids are much sharper than we think.  In fact, most people are smarter than you think.  You'd be surprised how able people are to put two and two together without you saying a word in defense of yourself.  So, as long as the legal rights were protected by the courts- visitation, custody and so forth such that it was at least equitable- I would let the rest (like the name) slide.

[zibazinski]

It's been well proven that unusual names hold a person back so why would you sabotage your child from the get go?

[Sum Dum Gai]

It's been well proven that unusual names hold a person back so why would you sabotage your child from the get go?

And yet we see a Barack Hussein Obama as the leader of the free world.  Not exactly a common name.  Honestly, his presidency has probably given the weird name contingent a sense that names don't matter anymore.  I personally think that's bunk, and I'm sure quite a few posters here would agree, but by the time his second term is over the entire country will have spent most of a decade getting used to Barack as a first name.

[Virgil Showlion]

It's a poor choice of name, but I agree it should be the parents' prerogative to choose it. It doesn't cross the line into child abuse.

The case a few years back where the judge denied a mother the right to name her child "Shithead", however...

[Virgil Showlion]

Aug 12, 2013 11:37:32 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

It's been well proven that unusual names hold a person back so why would you sabotage your child from the get go?

And yet we see a Barack Hussein Obama as the leader of the free world.  Not exactly a common name.  Honestly, his presidency probably has given the weird name contingent a sense that names don't matter anymore.  I personally think that's bunk, and I'm sure quite a few posters here would agree, but by the time his second term is over the entire country will have spent most of a decade getting used to Barack as a first name.

Statistically she's right. Unusual names are consistently tossed out of the resume pile and incur numerous other penalties.

"Barack" isn't an awkward first name. Uncommon, but short, non-repetitive, and not an improper noun.

The same could not be said for "Messiah". A name like "Messiah" immediately calls the sensibilities of the parents into question, followed by the issue of whether the apple has fallen far enough away from the tree.

Besides, "Messiah" would invariably end up as just "Mess". The judge may have overreached his authority, but he did the kid a favour. Unless Mom decides to name the kid "Unicorn" or "Skittles".

"It's a tight race, Mike. The question on everybody's mind is who will lock up the Democratic nomination: Hillary Clinton, or Skittles Obama."

[Deleted]

Lots of people are named Jesus.

[justme]

If you look it up at SSA, last year Messiah was the 387th most popular name. Which is way more popular than my name was last year, and it's most certainly not a crazy name/spelling.

[Sum Dum Gai]

Statistically she's right. Unusual names are consistently tossed out of the resume pile and incur numerous other penalties.

I agree.  I would have trouble taking a resume from Messiah seriously.  However, there's no way in hell I would have let my wife name my kid Barack Hussein either, but that doesn't appear to have held him back any.

[mmhmm]

Aug 12, 2013 11:56:38 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Aug 12, 2013 11:37:32 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

And yet we see a Barack Hussein Obama as the leader of the free world.  Not exactly a common name.  Honestly, his presidency probably has given the weird name contingent a sense that names don't matter anymore.  I personally think that's bunk, and I'm sure quite a few posters here would agree, but by the time his second term is over the entire country will have spent most of a decade getting used to Barack as a first name.

Statistically she's right. Unusual names are consistently tossed out of the resume pile and incur numerous other penalties.

"Barack" isn't an awkward first name. Uncommon, but short, non-repetitive, and not an improper noun.

The same could not be said for "Messiah". A name like "Messiah" immediately calls the sensibilities of the parents into question, followed by the issue of whether the apple has fallen far enough away from the tree.

Besides, "Messiah" would invariably end up as just "Mess". The judge may have overreached his authority, but he did the kid a favour. Unless Mom decides to name the kid "Unicorn" or "Skittles".

"It's a tight race, Mike. The question on everybody's mind is who will lock up the Democratic nomination: Hillary Clinton, or Skittles Obama."

The judge, I believe, was a woman.

[Tennesseer]

Aug 12, 2013 12:08:39 GMT -5 justme said:

If you look it up at SSA, last year Messiah was the 387th most popular name. Which is way more popular than my name was last year, and it's most certainly not a crazy name/spelling.

Well duh!  How many parents name their kid 'justme'?

[justme]

Aug 12, 2013 12:55:10 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Aug 12, 2013 12:08:39 GMT -5 justme said:

If you look it up at SSA, last year Messiah was the 387th most popular name. Which is way more popular than my name was last year, and it's most certainly not a crazy name/spelling.

Well duh!  How many parents name their kid 'justme'?

 Touché

[zibazinski]

They aren't called JESUS, it's pronounced HEY SUSE.

[Sum Dum Gai]

They aren't called JESUS, it's pronounced HEY SUSE.

They pronounce Jesus as hey suse too.  The kids are literally named after Jesus.  Several South American countries are devoutly Catholic and biblical names, including Jesus, are very common.

[Deleted]

I think the judge may of ruled from a (personal) heart of conviction in this matter, which is frowned upon in courtly matters.

[mmhmm]

Aug 12, 2013 13:03:18 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

They aren't called JESUS, it's pronounced HEY SUSE.

Yes, zib, they are called Jesus and they're called Jesus in honor of Jesus Christ.  The difference is only in pronunciation.  An egg, in French, is an oeuf.  It's still an egg.

[zibazinski]

That's just sad.