( CNN ) -- Young Messiah , the `` happiest baby in the world , '' according to his mother , is blissfully unaware that a judge ruled that his birth name promises to offend many in his Tennessee community . His mother , Jaleesa Martin , and father , Jawaan McCullough , who are not married , could n't agree on a last name for their baby , now 7 months old . That 's why they ended up in the courtroom of Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew . Ballew ruled last week that not only should little Messiah 's last name be changed -- from Martin to McCullough -- but also that his first name should be changed . In her ruling , Ballew wrote : `` 'Messiah ' is a title that is held only by Jesus Christ '' and that naming him this `` places an undue burden on him that as a human being , he can not fulfill . '' Her ruling also noted the large Christian population in the Tennessee county where the child was born . Speaking to CNN affiliate WBIR , Ballew , wearing earrings in the shape of a cross , said this was the first time she had ordered a name change . Martin , whose family is Baptist , said there was no religious motivation behind her pick ; rather she 'd heard the name on one of her favorite TV shows and thought it 'd be a good name for her son . She also wanted another `` M '' name to go with her other two sons , Mason and Micah . CNN could not reach McCullough for comment . Heartbroken and shocked , Martin told CNN Ballew gave the parents a one-hour recess to pick a new name and then issued the new name when she and the baby 's father could n't come up with one . The judge 's pick : Martin DeShawn McCullough . Martin said that she 'll keep calling her son Messiah and that she has heard from supporters all over the country . She 's also upset about reports she is being attacked online as a bad mother . The Tennessee American Civil Liberties Union is following the case , saying it supports Martin and calling the judge 's ruling unacceptable . `` The bench is not a pulpit , and using it as one , as this judge did , violates the parents ' rights and our sense that people of all faiths will be treated fairly in the courtroom , '' Executive Director Hedy Weinberg said . According to U.S. Social Security Administration statistics , Messiah was the fourth-fastest growing name for boys in the United States from 2011 to 2012 . It ranks at Number 387 , between the decidedly traditional names Scott and Jay . Ballew declined CNN 's request for comment . Martin has appealed the court 's decision ; it will go before the Cocke County chancellor next month .
The Messiah 's parents could not agree on his last name , so they ended up in Tennessee . The judge objected to his first name , saying it is ` ` a title that is held only by men . '' The stunned mother has appealed the Tennessee judge 's decision .