Recently in wacky Category

At iVillage, we love talking about baby names. Whether it's what our expectant moms are planning to name their bundles of joy, or what unusual monikers celebrities have come up with for their tykes, we can't seem to stop commenting about them. I think we're obsessed with names, especially when they're a little ... crazy. The more outrageous the better, I say. But how outrageous is too outrageous? It seems like we all know someone (or know someone who knows someone's cousin) with a really outlandish name we wouldn't wish on our worst enemy. Would a rose by any other name *really* smell as sweet? Maybe not in New Zealand, where a judge has placed a 9-year-old girl under the guardianship of the court until she is renamed. The name in question? Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii. Seriously. Let that sink in a bit. Not only does Talula do the hula, but let's not forget it's from Hawaii. Yes, that entire sentence is the name apparently given to her by her parents, who are now in the midst of a custody battle. I admit I was a little taken aback when I read this story and thought that perhaps some people in New Zealand are even more out than I thought -- or maybe they just have a better sense of humor than the rest of us? (Remember last year's case of "4real"? Also from New Zealand.)  Then again, maybe I'm being too harsh; after all, no one had a problem with "Dances with Wolves". And then, after I thought, "Well it's really none of my business what they name their kid..." I thought, "I wonder what the folks on our boards have to say about this?"  And here we are.

From Playgroups and Expecting Clubs to debate boards, everyone has a little something to say about the latest round of the name game. Most, like those on the Frugal Families board, think the name is way overboard, but had a few interesting names to share that they'd run across over the years.... like "Candy Barr" or "Shanda Lear". Wow. And to think sometimes I'd get upset that my relatively-common-but-alternatively-spelled name never showed up on those racks of personalized pencils or keychains at the discount store during back-to-school time.  

On the Current Debates board, the sentiment is much the same, but they're also concerned that the government dictating what names are allowed is a little too intrusive. One member, sisfox, sums it up:  

 "I think this is a case of the government WAY overstepping boundaries."

Then she goes on to say: 

"I'm not saying that parents should purposefully give their kids awful names. But I don't think it's the government's place to take custody of the child and rename it.

Where does it stop? I think Prudence and Horace are pretty awful names. Should the government remove children with those names from their homes because it's "abuse"?"

However, karin_n counters:

"While I agree that Prudence and Horace are pretty awful names, I'd hardly call it abusive to give someone such a name.  They are, after all, names.  Talula does the Hula from Hawaii sounds more like a bad porn movie."

Just for the record (and especially for clarification of any of our readers named Prudence or Horace), I think those are lovely names and the above comments don't reflect how *I* feel about these names. Ahem. 

Moms of the March 2005 Playgroup are split about the right of a court to change a name. From sunnysocalmom:

"I may be in the minority here - but I don't think the government has, at any point or any time - the right to tell us what to name our children."

imadesphousewife agrees, saying:

"Although I feel *awful* for the poor kids that get stuck with hideous names, I don't think it's the government's place to step in and change it. I'd much rather see that effort go towards kids who are being neglected or abused."

Another March 05 mom, cara2178, points out an important distinction in this particular case:

"This child was involved in a custody battle.  At the age of 9, she was probably interviewed regarding the custody situation and then also asked about her name.  She was said to be terribly embarrassed.  Should she have lived with the embarrassment until she was 18 so that she could legally change her name herself then?  I don't think so.  The judge made the right call in this case IMO."

What do you think? Was this name over the top enough to warrant judicial intervention? Is there ever a name so awful it should be changed no matter what? Have you ever changed your name or wished you had? I want to know what you think -- and of course am dying to hear what odd names you've encountered in your life. 

TGIF! As we head into the weekend, I bet you all have some wild and raucous plans for St. Patrick's Day, right? But do you plan to tell your co-workers/casual acquaintances/people on the bus about your leprechaun-inspired debauchery? About how you had so many green drinks you ended up in the parking lot of the nearest White Castle doing the hokey pokey in your bathrobe? Of course not, because that would be ... TMI. You know, too much information. For some, there really is no such thing as too much information -- these folks just let it all hang out for anyone who will listen. I had to laugh when I saw this discussion from the Toxic Relationships board (which happens to have one of my favorite board titles ever! Toxic!)

"My post is inspired by having sat beside a woman at a recent dinner party who seemed to feel obligated to want to tell me some of what were the more personal and private details of her life, in full detail!

I am curious where others draw the "too much information" line..."

Good question. How much is too much? Are there certain subjects that should never come up in casual conversation? Why are some people so willing to share the most intimate details of their lives with just about darn near everyone? And more importantly is there anything we can do about this epidemic? Or are we just doomed to hear about our neighbor's boils, the Target cashier's messy divorce and our co-workers' racy spring break stories? Step right up and tell us where you draw your TMI line and what you do about the people in your life that know no boundaries. Have a great weekend ... and be sure to come back on Monday and tell me all about it! On second thought ...