Lakers' Ron Artest: Call Me 'Metta World Peace'

Lakers forward files papers to legally change name
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 24, 2011 3:32 PM CDT
Lakers' Ron Artest to Change Name to 'Metta World Peace'
Ron Artest wants to change his name to Metta World Peace.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)

Ron Artest may soon be Ron Artest no more. The Lakers forward wants to legally change his name to Metta World Peace, according to papers filed in LA County Superior Court yesterday. Why? Who knows. The attorney who filed the paperwork didn't say, though the Los Angeles Times notes that "metta" is a Buddhist term meaning "a strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others" ... which could be fitting for Artest, who has gone from drinking at halftime to raffling off his 2010 championship ring for charity.

The 31-year-old is scheduled for an Aug. 26 hearing on the name change. If it goes through, it'll be up to the Artest and the team to decide whether his jersey will feature his new name. (More Ron Artest stories.)

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