A record 46,000 people changed their names by deed poll this year, including one man now called Happy Adjustable Spanners after losing a drunken bet. Other eccentric names adopted by Britons this year include Luscious Lemons, General Ninja Ant and Aron Mufasa Columbo Fonzerelli Ball In A Cup Boogie Woogie Brown.
The number of people who changed their legal names in 2008 was up 15 per cent on the previous year, due to the increasing number of divorces and a rise in the number of older people applying online.
Mike Barratt, chief executive of the UK Deed Poll Service, said they expect a surge of applications next month as family rows over Christmas cause couples to separate. "January is hectic because thousands of people have a 'new name for the new year' attitude and also because there are many marital breakdowns over the Christmas period resulting in separated women wanting to revert to their maiden name."
Although most people adopt a new name for marital or relationship reasons, hundreds made the change to bring a bit of cheer to their lives.
There is now also a Mr Tintin Captain Haddock Confused Brewer, a N'Tom TheHayemaker Haywardyouliketocomebacktomine and a McLovin, the latter named after the lead character in the teenage film Superbad.
Mr Brewer, a 25-year-old stockbroker from Leeds who used to go by the name Chris, chose Tintin due to his receding hairline. Captain Haddock is another Tintin reference.
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