NZ couple to name child Superman  

By Phil Mercer
BBC News  

Superman's parents say they will still refer to him as 4Real
A couple in New Zealand is planning to call their newborn son Superman after officials rejected their original choice of 4Real.

Pat and Sheena Wheaton have been frustrated by rules in New Zealand banning names that begin with a number.

Mum and Dad decided to call their son 4Real after seeing an ultrasound image of him. It was then they realised that their baby was "for real".

They are considering legal action to force officials to reverse the ruling.

Name game

The name might sound more like a comedian's catchphrase or a fruit juice, but the Wheatons were deadly serious.

Sadly for them, the authorities in New Zealand did not share their enthusiasm for the unusual - their choice was rejected by the country's registrar of births, deaths and marriages.

The rules state that first names starting with a number are not allowed.

The law also advises parents to avoid names that could cause their child to be teased or made fun of.

Undeterred, the Wheatons now plan to call their newborn son Superman, but have said they will refer to him as 4Real.

The baby's family argues that if people can be known as John Williams III, for example, then why can a number not be used at the beginning of a name?

Officials in New Zealand have been involved in similar disputes before.

In the past they have had to intervene to stop parents naming their offspring Satan and Adolf Hitler.
 

Nowadays a lot of people are giving their kids names which sound like last names!

"Preston", "Colton", etc.

Preston means "priest town".
Colton means "coal town".
Denton means "town in the valley"

There are literally hundreds of names that you KNOW you have seen much more often as last names -- but people are using them for their child's given name!

I'm glad I'm a Catholic so I'm not tempted by such dumb names.

Matthew

Yes, if Colton were a saints name, it would be acceptable. But it's not, so your hypothetical is a moot point.

I'm referring to the phenomenon of pagans being in darkness -- the Japanese, etc. name their human children after very base things -- whereas Catholics (the children of light) name their children after saints in heaven. Much more exalted.

I don't mean to be mean about it -- I'm just being my zealous self.

Matthew

Fair enough, zeal is good.

I just am constantly reminded this is a public forum and not a private conversation.  
Needlessly offend someone because of something innocuous as their name is not useful for the Faith.

I don't see much to be offended about if someone reading this thread is named Colton--we don't choose our own names, only those of our children.

I have no problem with my given name and would not be offended if someone called it a less-than-perfect choice of my parents. I know a fellow Catholic who has chosen to stop using the name and go by that of her Confirmation saint instead. Her parents understand the motivation and are not offended.