Hello World Peace, Goodbye Ron Artest!

Say a big hello to World Peace. Nay, I am not an ambassador of world peace. I’m taking about Ron Artest.

The Los Angeles Lakers star is now legally “Metta World Peace.”

The most ballyhooed name change of the year became official Friday morning when a Los Angeles County Superior Court commissioner granted Ron Artest’s name change petition to become Metta World Peace, more than three months after Mr. World Peace decided to undergo an identity switch.

World Peace was expected to attend the hearing, but about an hour after the court doors opened, his attorney, Nahla Rajan, announced that the Lakers forward was not coming because  of a ‘jam-packed schedule’ for ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ A few minutes later, Commissioner Matthew C. St. George approved the name change in a hearing that lasted about 30 seconds.

St. George: “Mr. Artest has requested a name change to Metta World Peace?”

Rajan: “Yes, your honor.”

St. George: “And it’s for personal reasons, he said?”

Rajan: “Yes, your honor.”

St. George: “OK. All right. He’ll now be known as Metta World Peace. Thank you.”

He is 6 feet 7, wears No. 15 for the Lakers and once participated in the infamous “Palace brawl.”

Those on a first-name basis can call him Metta, while those a little further removed can buy jerseys with his last name of World Peace stretched across the back.

World Peace’s publicist, Courtney Barnes, said his client had been contemplating the switch for years, “but it took many years of research and soul-searching to find a first name that was both personally meaningful and inspirational.” Metta is a Buddhist term that means loving kindness and friendliness toward others.

“Changing my name was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world,” World Peace said in a statement. “I’m glad that it is now official.”

World Peace had hoped to adopt his new moniker last month but was rebuffed because of an outstanding traffic ticket. He was cited for driving without a license and faced an additional charge after missing a court date, Rajan said.

Having paid his outstanding debts to the DMV, World Peace can now reign.

I can imagine watching a Lakers game and hearing the commentators shouting “World Peace scores!”. That would be real cool!