Banning 'Messiah' name for baby goes too far: Your Say

A Tennessee mother is appealing a judge's ruling that her baby's first name, "Messiah," be changed. The parents ended up at a child support hearing because they could not agree on a last name. Facebook comments edited for clarity and grammar:

I agree that you shouldn't name a child something that is going to cause him or her problems later in life, but a mother has every right to name her child whatever she wants.

Messiah is a nice name, unlike others that I could imagine that are a lot worse.

— Stephen Shannon Tumlin

Sure, the parents ultimately have the right to name their own child.

But one hopes they do it while thinking of the child's life, not because of their own selfishness or stubbornness, which appears to be what is going on here.

— Jen Chough

The judge definitely exceeded her authority by demanding any name change. Her reasons clearly violate the principles governing the separation of church and state.

Having said that, I believe the name Messiah would be problematic for the child in many ways.

— James Stedman

It's called freedom of choice, people. The judge overstepped her boundaries.

What's next? You can't name your kid Jesus or Mohammed?

— Floyd Weber

Jesus and Mohammed are names. I agree with the judge who said Messiah is a title and shouldn't be used as a name.

God bless her for standing up for the right thing, and thinking of this child's future!

— Tacie Moon

Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.

Exercising your right to be foolish, selfish and controversial doesn't prove anything.

— Mark Soucy