Get real

Pat and Sheena Wheaton say that it was shortly after seeing the ultrasound, they were struck with the reality of their son's impending birth and they knew what they would name him. It seems though, that New Zealand's Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages feels their name choice is against the rules.

New Zealand law requires that all children born in the South Pacific nation to be registered the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry within two months of their birth and it doesn't allow names that begin with numbers or that would "likely cause offense to a reasonable person." The government office has opened negotiations though with the parents about their name choice under a policy that says all unusual names be given a case-by-case consideration.

"With this name, everyone knows what it means," stated Pat Wheaton to TV One, Wednesday.

The name they have chosen for their son certainly is unusual, it's "4real." Yes, it does violate the no numerals first rule and I think it is offensive to a reasonable person. That person would be their son when he is old enough to realize that his parents must have thought they were naming a cute puppy or picking out a vanity plate for their car. There is no reason for them to attempt to follow the long cold trail of "Moon Unit", "Dweezil", "Fifi Trixiebelle", "Daisy Boo" and "Tu Pilot Inspektor." The Wheaton's aren't celebrities who have an excuse, maybe, for saddling their children with names like that.

It is true that everyone would know what his name means if they are successful in getting him named "4real"..... it would mean that his parents aren't the brightest crayons in the box. Maybe they should have tried for "Sue", at least that would work better on legal forms as he grows up.

Update: It seems that finally, someone in a legal position has a clear head. A judge in New Zealand has blocked the Wheaton's from using the name they chose, "4real", for their son. I'm glad that this judge had the sense to prevent this boy from growing up with a name that I agree, is unfair. While some countries have laws against certain names being used and the French have a list of approved names to prevent teasing, in the U S anything goes as long as it isn't a "four letter word." This explains why two unfortunate boys, one in Texas and one in Michigan will have to grow up with the shared name of "ESPN." That does bring me back to the question of who isn't the brightest crayon.