What’s in a name? Comparing Apples and Messiahs
OPINION - The black community is known for doling out unique (sometimes cringe-worthy) names--but earlier this week when a Tennessee judge changed a baby’s name from Messiah to Martin, she crossed the line...
The black community is known for doling out unique (sometimes cringe-worthy) names–but earlier this week when a Tennessee judge changed a baby’s name from Messiah to Martin, she crossed the line.
Stating that “the word Messiah is a title and it’s a title that has only been earned by one person and that person is Jesus Christ,” Judge Lu Anne Ballew said she was basically doing the kid a favor so that he wouldn’t grow up and get teased. Ballew was supposed to decide the infant’s last name.
The mom, Jalessa Martin, and the dad whose last name is McCullough could not agree on a surname, so they went to court about it. Ballew did make a decision on that, but also took it upon herself to change the child’s first name as well. His name is now Martin DeShawn McCullough, which is a nice compromise that incorporates both parents’ last names, but the judge had no business changing the baby’s first name.
That child’s parents decided on the name Messiah and that’s the end of that. What if they were Latino and had named the child Jesus? Would Ballew have changed that name too? What if the baby were a girl named Queen or Princess? No dice? My name is a variation of the Greek goddess Demeter. Perhaps that’s a tad too lofty as well.
Incidentally, Messiah was one of the fastest growing names in popularity in 2012, according to the Social Security Administration. The names King and Armani were also in the top 20 fastest rising names.
When situations like this make national news, people often cite the numerous unique names that celebrities give their children. We have Blue, North, Moses, Apple, Major and King just to name a few. Of course those children are growing up in the very selective environments that their multi-millionaire parents can afford. They probably won’t endure much teasing.
Somehow I doubt that little Blue Ivy will have to throw her backpack on the playground and knuckle up to bullies teasing her about her name. Kids might find another reason to pick on her (she could inherit Mama Beyoncé’s rabid haters), but her name probably won’t be it.
Your everyday folks with creative, highly-Google-able or uniquely spelled names do typically have to go through taunting and bullying. That goes for people with names steeped in African history as well as those named for popular alcoholic beverages. I have encountered more than one Alizé and with various spellings. No matter how much we evolve as a society, kids being mean to other kids for ridiculous reasons will remain.
Family court judges have to deal with a litany of very serious and complex situations. It’s a tough job, which is why it’s mind-boggling that a judge who delves into cases on a regular basis would take it upon herself to unnecessarily intervene and comment upon a harmless aspect of that child’s life.
Will Messiah (yes, I’m calling him what his mama named him) have a tough time at school or applying for jobs? Maybe, but that’s not something the judge has to consider and her decision which seems to bulldoze the separation of church and state reeks of condescension. Ballew should have a seat and not on the bench.
Messiah’s mother plans to appeal the decision.
Fun fact, a New Jersey couple named their child Adolph Hitler Campbell. Do you think there are instances when a legal authority should step in when it comes to a child’s name?
Follow Demetria Irwin on Twitter at @Love_Is_Dope and connect with her on Facebook.
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