Name Game Getting Stupid

You have to wonder about the mental stability of people who give their kids weird names. By weird I don't mean seldom used names that may be of certain ethnic origin. I mean downright f---ing bizarre names bestowed upon these children. This item out of Australia underscores the fact a lot of people are off their rocker.

NEVAEH and Narnia got through but Queensland authorities have drawn the line at parents calling their children Gummy Bear, Coca Cola and King John 1.

They were among the names rejected in 2008 by the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, which is part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

"Parents are able to decide their own spelling when choosing a name for their baby, however in Queensland there are certain regulations governing what the name can be," Attorney-General Kerry Shine said.

"You cannot choose a name which includes an official title or rank ... it also cannot be a trademark, or consist of or include symbols without phonetic significance."

He said all of the names rejected were change of name requests by adults.

Actually, I'm not opposed to allowing adults to name themselves whatever they want so long as it's not trademarked or illegal in some fashion. Or some idiotic hieroglyphic symbol like Prince tried awhile back.

But who on earth would subject their poor kids to a name like Number 16 Bus Shelter?

WTF?

'The stranger the name, the more frustrating for a child who starts to think 'why did my parents do this, why did they put this on me?'."

Child psychologist Paula Barrett agreed strange names created a sense of "social anxiety".

"Most children don't like to be different. It's all about fitting in when you're a child," Dr Barrett said.

In New Zealand, a nine-year-old girl called Talula does the Hula from Hawaii, recently won the right to change her name.

Family Court Judge Rob Murfitt also expressed his dismay at the trend to give children bizarre names.

Among those blocked by registration officials included Sex Fruit, Twisty Poi, Stallion and Fish and Chips - for twins.

Those allowed included Number 16 Bus Shelter, Midnight Chardonnay and Violence.

Geez, I would think being name Stallion would be more palatable than Number 16 Bus Shelter.

I was tempted to let Twisty Poi go by without comment, but after a Google search led to this, I, um, well, uh, never mind.