A Judge in Tennessee, Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew made the parents who named their son messiah change his name to Martin because messiah is a name reserved for one person only, yushka. The mother said they will appeal.
Messiah is one of the fastest rising (ahem!) names in the list that the Social Security Administration issues every year. It’s right up there with King (which to me is a dog name). Several years ago, I had a student whose name was spelled something like Masia, but it was pronounced messiah.
Funny, because I’ve heard of Bukharians and other Mizrachim use Mashiach as a name for their boys. And, le havdil, Greeks often use the name Christos for their boys (both loosely mean “anointed one.”)
Eclpise, When Mashiach comes, there won’t be a need for child support. People, I suppose will be ‘mentchen’, former squabbles (putting it mildly) will be behind us. After a double Nechamah (???? ???? ???) which will prevail the Geulah, all former feelings of pain, bitterness, anger, resentment will vanish.
Besides, I thought we will not need ANY financial support…