What's in a name?
In the celebrity world, and the real world also, for that matter, parents are constantly being possessed by the need to give their children awful names. From actors and actresses to hippy Hollywood diet patrons, the Stupid Name Craze, as I like to call it, has swept the celeb world for decades now.
There are the classics; Zowie Bowie (no prizes for guessing who fathered him.), Penn Jillette named his daughter Moxie Crimefighter, and Toni Braxton is mother to daughter ‘Denim’. All of these ridiculous names are just the tip of the iceberg; the world of crazy celebrity names goes a lot deeper. And it’s becoming a modern trend too – Take Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz. One of my favourite bands, it has to be said- but I can’t help but admit I did grimace a little when he named his son -yes, this is actually true- Bronx Mowgli. Now, arguably this is a name that combines a love of New York City and a children’s favourite Disney film; but will little Bronx really be grateful when he gets to American highschool? Or a job interview? I feel sorry for the kid, to be honest.
And let’s not forget the new favourites. When newlyweds Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (known as ‘Kimye’ by local fans and magazines) had their adorable baby girl cuddled and sleeping in their arms, one of them suddenly struck gold. Their choice was ‘North’. So she’s called North West, geddit? Maybe not so funny when she grows up being referred to as a geographical compass direction. And the Beckham’s choice of Harper Seven wasn’t much better. As far as I’m concerned, that’s not a name, that’s a number. And ‘Apple’ isn’t too good either. Being named after a fruit really isn’t flattering, poor girl.
The eccentric nature of all of these names really begs the question: Is it fair for kids to have to live with the name their parents probably came up
with on a whim in their chaotic, fame filled lives? Legally, you can change your name without consent over the age of 16, but parents need to apply for a name
change if they are under the age of consent. Which I can’t really see happening; they would most likely be distraught at the mere thought of a name change.
All I’m saying is that maybe naming your child ‘Tu’ when your last name is ‘Morrow’isn’t really as ingenious as you thought it would be.
Article by Mirran Harper
Y12
There are the classics; Zowie Bowie (no prizes for guessing who fathered him.), Penn Jillette named his daughter Moxie Crimefighter, and Toni Braxton is mother to daughter ‘Denim’. All of these ridiculous names are just the tip of the iceberg; the world of crazy celebrity names goes a lot deeper. And it’s becoming a modern trend too – Take Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz. One of my favourite bands, it has to be said- but I can’t help but admit I did grimace a little when he named his son -yes, this is actually true- Bronx Mowgli. Now, arguably this is a name that combines a love of New York City and a children’s favourite Disney film; but will little Bronx really be grateful when he gets to American highschool? Or a job interview? I feel sorry for the kid, to be honest.
And let’s not forget the new favourites. When newlyweds Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (known as ‘Kimye’ by local fans and magazines) had their adorable baby girl cuddled and sleeping in their arms, one of them suddenly struck gold. Their choice was ‘North’. So she’s called North West, geddit? Maybe not so funny when she grows up being referred to as a geographical compass direction. And the Beckham’s choice of Harper Seven wasn’t much better. As far as I’m concerned, that’s not a name, that’s a number. And ‘Apple’ isn’t too good either. Being named after a fruit really isn’t flattering, poor girl.
The eccentric nature of all of these names really begs the question: Is it fair for kids to have to live with the name their parents probably came up
with on a whim in their chaotic, fame filled lives? Legally, you can change your name without consent over the age of 16, but parents need to apply for a name
change if they are under the age of consent. Which I can’t really see happening; they would most likely be distraught at the mere thought of a name change.
All I’m saying is that maybe naming your child ‘Tu’ when your last name is ‘Morrow’isn’t really as ingenious as you thought it would be.
Article by Mirran Harper
Y12