Kiwi judge orders 'odd' name change

[Begbie]

A judge in New Zealand made a young girl a ward of court so that she could change the name she hated - Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.

Judge Rob Murfitt said that the name embarrassed the nine-year-old and could expose her to teasing.

He attacked a trend of giving children bizarre names, citing several examples. Officials had blocked Sex Fruit, Keenan Got Lucy and Yeah Detroit, he said, but Number 16 Bus Shelter, Violence and Midnight Chardonnay had been allowed.

One mother wanted to name her child O.crnia using text language, but was later persuaded to use Oceania, he said.

'Social handicap'
The ruling, in the city of New Plymouth on the North Island, was handed down in February but only made public now.

The name issue emerged during a custody hearing for the young girl - who had refused to tell her friends her name and went simply by "K".

"The court is profoundly concerned about the very poor judgment which this child's parents have shown in choosing this name," Judge Murfitt wrote.

"It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap, unnecessarily."

Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii's name has now been changed and the custody case resolved, court officials said.

New Zealand does not allow names that would cause offence or that are longer than 100 characters, Registrar-General Brian Clarke said.


UNUSUAL NAMES
Allowed: Violence; Number 16 Bus Shelter; Midnight Chardonnay; Benson and Hedges (twins)
Blocked: Yeah Detroit; Stallion; Twisty Poi; Keenan Got Lucy; Sex Fruit; Fat Boy; Cinderella Beauty Blossom; Fish and Chips (twins)


BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | NZ judge orders 'odd' name change

[Thetyim]

[Davis Knowlton]

There are clearly a significant number of people out there who should have had "NOT FOR BREEDING PURPOSES" stamped on their sloping foreheads at puberty.

[BobR]

It is nice to see a Judge write and say something profoundly intelligent and sensible for a change. As much as I bitch about the nanny states, protecting children from idiot parents and others is a legitimate function of government.

[genghis61]

OP - knew I'd seen this before, New Plymouth my once home-town (full of misfits), article is from July 2008.

anyway - thought some of the readers comments underneath were good:

My unusual name hasn't affected me at all; in fact, it has helped me make friends and improve my confidence, especially since leaving school.
Russell Sprout, London, UK

I hated my parents for what they named me up until I was a teenager, but then I just became comfortable with it. I suppose it was just bad for me as my sister was called Judy.
Ftango Molasses, London England

I changed my name by deed poll to Jenna Dana Bananarama Rater. I'm now the Jenna Rater!
Jenna Dana Bananarama Rater, Cardiff, Wales

Being called Slick has its advantages and disadvantages but I get along just fine, in fact I've learned to love my name.
Slick Bryn Davies, Manchester

No-one ever considered that the child might like the quirkiness of their name. Nothing has ever held back my development or progress in the world. I'm now working in the catering trade and everyone calls me Eggy. I don't see the problem!
Egnorwiddle Waldstrom , London, UK

My friends call me Manny!
Mangled Brown Fence-Post, London

[Clogiron]

There is a Radio DJ in UK called Sarah Cox who named her son Isaac.

Whilst Isaac in itself is an OK name I pity the poor kid with the moniker Isaac Cox.

[harrybarracuda]

I would think "Number 16 bus shelter" would take a very dim view of their parents if that's where they were conceived. Right up there with "Piss soaked alley at the back of the Nag's Head".

[Wayne Kerr]

A girl in my office is called Theresa Green

[Davis Knowlton]

^Personally, I'd be a bit pissed with Mr. and Mrs. Kerr were I you.

[The Muffinman]

Hilarious sketch, thanks.

[Davis Knowlton]

^That was a funny one! Too bad can't green ya for it.

[12Call]

Jack Russell

[Begbie]

Adrian Peter Brain

[Thormaturge]

Jack Russell

Great wicket keeper.

[Moonraker]

Richard Head

[12Call]

Jack Russell

Great wicket keeper.

One of the best painters of his generation.

[hawkeye]

Another one from New Zealand.
Gentleman's name as listed in the Napier phone directory years ago.
Surname HARD First name Ivor.

At Parties Saturday nights we would ring and ask for his daughter " Wanta"
or his wife " Hada" or his son "Felta".

[crazy dog]

Orson Cart is a good one, but I see somebody in the USA just had the kid they named Adolf Hitler taken away from them. Surely that's against the constitution. Lots of people call their son Mohammad after somebody almost as bad as Hitler and nobody minds that.

[Moonraker]

I once had the pleasure of speaking to a Sonny Cruise.

[benbaaa]

My sister was once best friends with Justine Case.

[Wayne Kerr]

The Ness boys in my Army volunteer corp were always a laugh, Peter and Andrew.

Bloody sergeant used to call a roll, P. Ness, A. Ness, etc etc.

Makes me wonder what ever happened to Frank Lee ... was Wally right? But does he still post in these parts?

[Little Chuchok]

^ I know a pommie bloke in NZ whose first two initials are A P and his surname is Ness.

[Thaiguy]

There are clearly a significant number of people out there who should have had "NOT FOR BREEDING PURPOSES" stamped on their sloping foreheads at puberty.

Damn right - many seem to be in the Hollywood area?

[aww]

I had a head master named Raymond Shave. Used to ring his house occasionally asking to speak to his wife Phyllis.