Unreal

Scott Hardie | June 23, 2007
Amidst all the media attention given to that poor girl who lost her feet, another weird story this week eluded the attention it would seem to attract normally: A couple has been told they can't name their son 4real. (link) The couple turns out to be New Zealander instead of the crass Americans you would expect from the headline, and the reason they've been denied turns out to be bureaucratic instead of "that name is retarded," but it's interesting nonetheless.

I'm torn between rooting for loving parents who should be allowed to name their kid whatever damn name they please (including the offensive prior examples listed) and feeling sorry for a kid who might spend the rest of his life actually named 4real. But most of all, I'm afraid of a future where we're all named like Internet user handles.

Lori Lancaster | June 23, 2007
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Erik Bates | June 23, 2007
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Lori Lancaster | June 23, 2007
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Tony Peters | June 25, 2007
some names of children that my wife had in school when she was the school Nurse
Kidi Porn Jones (half Thai)
Justice Someday (not sure)
Jesus Santagone (Filipino)

Lori Lancaster | June 25, 2007
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Tony Peters | June 25, 2007
as I said half Thai, Porn (pronounced pawn) means blessing but when read by "demeanted mericans" on a navy base well it comes off as "There's Kiddy Porn at the Elementary school"

Scott Hardie | February 22, 2008
4real has it easy. Try being named Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116. (link)

Eric Wallhagen | February 22, 2008
... How in the hell is Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 pronounced "al,bin"? and I feel sorry for the kid when he gets older... Imagine having to sign that on checks and legal documents? yikes... Those parents deserve the fine, and a good smack upside the head.

Scott Hardie | July 25, 2008
The latest name in the news: Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii, a 9-year-old who convinced a judge to change her name. The judge had such harsh words for the parents, I expected him to legally rename them Senseless Idiot and How Does It Feel.

Samir Mehta | July 26, 2008
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