Judge: ‘Messiah’ Is Not an Acceptable Baby Name

[gatagato]

"It's a title that has only been earned by one person," said Tennessee judge Lu Ann Ballew of Cocke County

In the U.S., all kinds of wacky baby names are totally fair game — especially among celebrity parents. (See: Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen Zappa, Moroccan Cannon, North West, etc.) But now, there’s apparently one baby name that won’t fly. And that name is Messiah.

A Tennessee judge ordered the parents of 7-month-old Messiah DeShawn Martin to change the baby’s name to Martin DeShawn McCullough instead, NBC affiliate WBIR reports. The parents initially ended up in court because they couldn’t agree on what the child’s last name should be. They’d already settled on the first name, but when Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew heard it, she sprung to action.

(MORE: Jacob, Max, Millie and Sookie: The Hot Baby Names of 2013 Go Retro)

“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,” Ballew said. As WBIR reports, the boy’s mother, Jaleesa Martin, responded saying, “I was shocked. I never intended on naming my son Messiah because it means God and I didn’t think a judge could make me change my baby’s name because of her religious beliefs.”

Ballew ruled that the boy’s parents must change the name on his birth certificate. In the meantime, his mother, Jaleesa Martin, is pushing back. Her appeal will go before the Cocke County Chancellor next month.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/08/12/...#ixzz2bsH7gYlB

This photo provided by Heidi Wigdahl of WBIR-TV shows
seven-month old Martin DeShawn McCullough being held by his mom Jaleesa Martin.

Top 10 Wacky Celebrity Baby Names

•Moroccan (Mariah Carey)
•Kal-El Cage (Nicolas Cage)
•Jermajesty (Jermaine Jackson)
•Pilot Inspektor (Jason Lee)
•Moxie Crimefighter (Penn Jillette)
•Nakoa-Wolf ... (Lisa Bonet)
•Zuma Nesta Rock (Gwen Stefani)
•Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen (Frank Zappa)
•Blue Angel (The Edge)
•Mirabella Bunny (Bryan Adams)

http://www.time.com/time/specials/pa...070329,00.html #ixzz2bsI3XVnu

Yeah, to call him "Messiah" will make is life easier for sure. Questionable decision, though.

P.S.
And to Jason Lee: shame on you for Pilot Inspektor, seriously

[wujuan]

god bless east tennessee and COCKe county. its called that for a reason!

[Feirefiz]

These celebrity children's names are totally fucked up but the judge's statement is also fucked up!
What is so wrong about "Messiah" when you're allowed to call your child Jermajesty?
Religion should not be a reason for a sentence...even in Tennessee.

[jinhwangtikatang]

This is a joke. No Judge has the right to tell a parent what to call their child. Whether its Adolf Hitler or Olga Gofuckagoat it doesn't matter. The responsibility to bring up a child belongs with the parent. If and when the state decides that a parent is incapable of bringing up a child without putting it in danger then it seizes control of that child, whether this is right or wrong, or where the line should be drawn, is another matter entirely. The fact is that no Judge is a high enough Judge to tell a parent what the fuck to call their offspring, or what it should eat, or what the fuck the parent decides to teach it. About time for a bit of people power over there I think, Turkey style.

[ninjachef]

But Latino peeps named JESUS is cool... .

[Ballerina]

Naming a black baby Messiah? It should be YesMassa.

[CuriousOne]

Originally Posted by Crzytwn

Naming a black baby Messiah? It should be YesMassa.

I couldn't help it, that one made me laugh.