Artest's name change goes official

With one stroke of a pen, Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest officially became Metta World Peace on Friday. Let the puns begin.

After years of contemplating a name change — and a delay caused by some unpaid parking tickets — Artest finally can be known by his new handle. LA Superior Court commissioner Matthew St. George signed off on the change in a hearing that took fewer than 30 seconds.

In at statement issued by his publicist, Courtney Barnes, after the hearing, Artest — er, World Peace — said, "Changing my name was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world. After this short delay, my tickets have been paid and I'm glad that it is now official."

World Peace wasn't present and wasn't required to be in court, but Barnes said he intended to appear. He was first on the docket of 24 name changes, but Barnes later said he was going to be about 20 minutes late for the scheduled 9 a.m. hearing.

Finally, at 9:50 a.m., attorney Nahla Rajan announced to the media outside court that Artest would not attend the hearing. Barnes, who had been waiting outside of court for his client to arrive, confirmed the news.

"He's got a jam-packed schedule based on 'Dancing With the Stars,' " Barnes said later.

World Peace is a contestant on the popular TV show that debuts Monday night and has spent several hours a day in rehearsals with his dance partner, Barnes said.

So it was left to Rajan to take care of the paperwork.

It all happened pretty quickly. St. George asked if the name change was for "personal reasons." Rajan said it was. Then the commissioner said, "All right, he'll now be known as Metta World Peace."

And that was it.

Barnes said the decision by Artest to change his name to World Peace required "years of research and soul-searching." He later decided to add Metta, a Buddhist word that loosely means "loving kindness."

Barnes said he wasn't sure if Artest would use his new moniker during his appearance on "Dancing With the Stars."

His new name is clearly catching on. Artest's 8-year-old daughter, Diamond, has asked to change her last name to World Peace, although Rajan said the necessary paperwork has not yet begun. Both parents would need to approve the change, she said.

In the meantime, while the NBA is currently in the midst of a lockout, you can be sure that Lakers jerseys with the name "World Peace" on the back are now being stitched.