New Zealand Judge Renames Girl, Says ‘Talula Does the Hula’ Was Poor Choice

Chris
Jul 25, 2008 7:31 AM CST

I am OK with this ONLY because the child was embarrassed and dreaded revealing her birth name. Otherwise, where does a judge get off renaming people’s kids - no matter how stupid their given name is? Judges ought to stick to interpreting the law and not sorry so much about children’s names. Perhaps I’ll name my son “Rob Murfitt is a Tyrant from New Zealand.”

Flag this comment

that sucks
Jul 25, 2008 8:01 AM CST

I’m assuming that Murfitt is a family law judge or New Zealand’s equivalent. Given that, Chris’s comment reflects a lack of understanding of what those judges are supposed to do -protect the best interests of the child. This includes the obvious future embarrassment of such an atrocious name. If you doubt the implications of this, read “Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything”, By Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. They have a great chapter on the relevance of a child’s name and what impact it can have, or what it can suggest. I wish more judges would help children like this -children who are old enough to be cognizant that their given name will cause them embarrassment or will hurt their future chances of success.

Flag this comment

Anon Observer
Jul 25, 2008 8:39 AM CST

Brian - If this was a custody battle in family court in the US, the judge would have the power to change the name as well.  Honestly, it would be hard for it to come to that, since obtaining a birth certificate with an expletive for a child’s name would be impossible to obtain.

Flag this comment

Spencer Neth
Jul 25, 2008 10:42 AM CST

Another approach was taken by a Swedish judge who fined a woman named Elizabeth Hallin $680 for naming her son
“Brfxxccmnpcccclllmmmmnprxclmnckssqlbb11116”  She reportedly said that the name was pronounced “Albin.”  Of course once a child was of age they can call themselves whatever they want.
  n named her 5 year old son this, and was fined $680 by a district court in southern Sweden.

Flag this comment

Talula Does the Hula from Watts
Jul 25, 2008 12:41 PM CST

I wish my name ended in “from Hawaii.”

Flag this comment

Doneil
Jul 25, 2008 12:48 PM CST

What we need now is to rename George W. Bush as George Worthless Bush.

Flag this comment

J Edwards
Jul 25, 2008 3:48 PM CST

let’s see - remember Moon Unit Zappa?  Of course, I am stuck with the name of a failed Democratic presidential candidate ambulance chasing attorney.

Flag this comment