Court orders name change to dodge social handicap
Taranaki Daily News
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Some parents have been branded abusers because of the bizarre names of their children.
Family Court Judge Rob Murfitt stated his concerns in a written decision after a custody hearing in New Plymouth revealed a couple had named their child Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.
He was so disturbed at the effect on the nine-year-old that he ordered her temporarily placed under court guardianship so a suitable name could be chosen.
"It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap," he said.
The girl, who had not had her birth officially registered in NZ, had not revealed her name to her friends.
The judge was stopped talking yesterday by Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier.
Meanwhile, Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages Brian Clarke released a statement today which said a list of unusual names believed to be registered in New Zealand issued by Judge Boshier's office was incorrect.
"The names Fish and Chips, Masport, and Mower, Yeah Detroit, Stallion, Twisty Poi, Keenan Got Lucy and Sex Fruit have not been registered," Mr Clarke said.
Names on the list from Mr Boshier's office that were not corrected included: Spiral Cicada, Kaos, Hitler and Cinderella Beauty Blossom.
Mr Clarke said names can be declined for registration if they may cause offence to a reasonable person, are unreasonably long (generally more than 100 characters) or resemble an official title or rank. Names using numerals will also be declined.
Brian Clarke says that while legislation gives the Registrar-General the authority to decline a name or combination of names, the applicant can have that decision to decline reviewed by the Courts.
"Where, in my view, a name cannot be registered we will normally discuss this with the parents or guardians before giving our decision. Often when we explain the situation to parents we can agree on an acceptable name to register."
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My mum told me that she had an aunt Fanny. Later she married Dick. They then informed friends and families that that they'd now prefer to be called Francis and Richard.
Shamalaladingdong !! (Shaz),-Yer parents liked that program Shan-na-na?-Shaz's nice! LOL. I loved the Goat mower called Masport tho!
Like Stars kids names - Sunday Rose (Roast),they eventually fade away, but if mum&dad become more famous it stays for ever! Havent the Geldoffs got some 'differnet' names? I knew a woman called her girls after flowers! Violet,Hiacinth, one middle name Blossum, Petal, Rose etc- Weird, but they all didnt see it that way! But then theres ones like Laughlan O'Laughlan, Donald McDonald, Bob(Robert)Roberts, & so forth! and then theres the gross/different/unfamiliar family names we're forced to hand down......
Blossom is a normal name lol
My 3 year old boy is called Wyatt and he has had nothing but positive reaction to his name, sure it is different and that is what we as parents wanted when we named him, but since his birth we have found more and more people called Wyatt. I think it is a great name =)
Of course some names are completely stupid, but names like Wyatt,Kaos and stallion are not that bad, ive heard worse!!
The fact that parents can do such a malicious act of abuse on their own children is just another indictment of which our society -thoughtless and uncaring ego driven citizens.
I believe a certain country in Scandinavia (possibly Finland) actually has laws specifically prohibiting the abuse of children in this manner.
From my experience the giving of names such as mentioned above usually comes from parents with mental instability, religious fanaticism (arguably a facet of the former), immaturity (teen parents...sheesh) or just plain old ignorance.
No parent should be able to inflict such an emotional handicap on a dependant.
For once the Family Court has my whole-hearted support on this one.
I heard about someone who wanted to name her child "Cher" but spelt it CHAIR...
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Try Ronald McDonald!! Each to their own, Count Cinnamon Sex Fruit is a great name especially if he chose it as an adult himself!! Probably a really gentle nice guy..afterall its harmless..its only a name, I would be more concerned they turn out as decent human beings! That is a bigger issue.