Signs Of The Time, Part 18
Okay, so the following story doesn’t take place in the United States. But I’ve encountered quite a few kids here with— how should I put this— unique-sounding names. The Irish Times’ Mary Fitzgerald wrote last week:
A JUDGE in New Zealand has deplored the use of unusual children’s names after he made a nine-year-old girl called Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii a ward of court so her unfortunate moniker could be changed at her request.
Some of the rather creative names allowed by New Zealand registration officials and criticised by Judge Rob Murfitt include Number 16 Bus Shelter and Midnight Chardonnay. The judge described as “tragic” the decision to register one child under the name Violence.
The parents of twins were permitted to name their offspring Benson and Hedges, after the cigarette brand.
Among the names rejected by registration officials were Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Stallion, Twisty Poi, Keenan Got Lucy and Sex Fruit. One mother even attempted to use SMS language for her daughter’s name.
And we wonder why some kids are soooooo screwed up…
“Championship Manager Kid”
YouTube Video Link
Source:
“Parents lose custody for calling daughter Talula Does The Hula”
Mary Fitzgerald
Irish Times, July 29, 2008
July 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I don’t agree with this. Kids with odd names turn out fine; frank Zappa’s kids are a prime example. I just spoke with Dweezil last year and he’s doing great (I work in media).
This is a distraction. The real issue is: why are profits for things like Fannie Mae privatized when the losses are socialized? People complain about paying for welfare kids; that’s nothing compared to the massive problems of these GSEs. And why are we bailing out people who signed mortagage papers but were too stupid to consult a lawyer. Can you pay for my overpriced rare Velvent Underground LPs too? They cost a lot; I want a bailout.
When we can get the massive financial problems solved, then let’s worry about names. And I don’t think odd names are indicative of anything except the rare weird parent.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Thanks for the comment Days.
“Kids with odd names turn out fine; frank Zappa’s kids are a prime example. I just spoke with Dweezil last year and he’s doing great (I work in media).”
I’d think Frank Zappa’s kids are the exception. When your dad’s as famous as Frank, people are going to cut you some slack. On the other hand, if I had a name like Sex Fruit and lived in Podunk, Anystate, the neighborhood kids are going to have a field day with me, which might very well mess with my head. Some years ago, I remember reading a comic strip that addressed this subject. The first pane showed parents hovering over their newborn, proclaiming (proudly) his goofy new name. In the second pane, their son, all grown up, is on a rampage, automatic weapons ablaze, shouting out, “Why did you have to name me that!”
“Signs Of The Time” posts are meant to be a little bit more light-hearted…