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Judge Orders Child's Name Changed From "Messiah"

A judge in Tennessee ordered a couple to change the name of their seven-month old infant from “Messiah” because the name has only been “earned by one person.” According to Yahoo! News, a child support magistrate Lu Ann Ballew in eastern Tennessee ordered the name change. Originally the couple was in court to battle over the child’s last name, but the judge seemed more concerned with the child’s first name.

“It could put him at odds with a lot of people and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is,” Ballew said, who ordered the parents to name the baby Martin DeShawn McCullough to incorporate both parents’ last names. “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 mother, Jaleesa Martin, said she will appeal the decision. “I didn’t think a judge could make me change my baby’s name because of her religious beliefs.”