Baby names have been in the spotlight lately. Recently we were puzzled (alright, not really) by Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's decision to name their child North. As in North West. Now, parents are challenging a court ruling that orders them to change their 7-month-year-old's controversial name.

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"Messiah" Martin (Photo: WBIR-TV)
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A judge in Tennessee ordered that the baby's name be changed from "Messiah."

Jaleesa Martin and the father of the baby were attending a child support hearing Thursday in Cocke County, Tenn. to settle a dispute over Messiah's last name. It was there that a Child Support Magistrate handed down a ruling on the boy's first name, too.

 

 

The judge said to WBIR-TV:

The word Messiah is a title and it's a title that has only been earned by one person and that one person is Jesus Christ.

 

The child could go by "Martin DeShawn McCullough," which includes both the mother and father's names.

 

The judge said that growing up with the name "Messiah" in an area with a large Christian population "could put him at odds with a lot of people and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is."

The baby's mother said

I never intended on naming my son Messiah because it means God and I didn't think a judge could make me change my baby's name because of her religious beliefs.

 

Comedian Lewis Black has a hilarious routine of the subject of baby names.

Warning: Video clip contains explicit language.

TELL US! Should these parents be allowed to name their child "Messiah?" Do the courts, or any one else have the right to decide what one names their child? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

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