Adding a new family member is a pure joy, no two ways about it. And I’m thrilled my baby girl and her husband will be gaining a muchneeded tax deduction in October. Can’t wait.

The new baby process is already in high gear, and it’s fun to watch the first time parents-to-be puzzle over such things as choosing the safest car seat and a stroller equipped with a plow strong enough to push through Wisconsin’s winter snows.

The best part has been the naming process. Once the blessed event was confirmed, Heather was convinced the baby would be a girl. Brad was smart enough not to argue, and the two began pondering names.

They finally settled on Sarah Elizabeth, a charming, graceful name that honors relatives from both sides of the union.

Visions of pink baby gear abounded. But only until an ultrasound revealed that Sarah Elizabeth was a boy. The revelation caused some unexpected consternation as the search for a name began again.

Brad told Heather that since his son had been referred to as a girl for so long, an extra manly name was needed to overcome any female prenatal influences.

He suggested Zeus. Bloodshed was avoided, and things got serious. So serious that boy names were even solicited from grandparents. I was glad to oblige.

Since the child will be born and raised in Wisconsin, I thought it would be nice if his name reflected his Southern roots. I offered a few Southern favorites.

I was shocked when Heather balked at calling the child Bubba. And she wasn’t too keen on my second choice, Ricky Bobby.

I got over it. And I’m sure they’ll do a better job of naming their child than some parents I’m acquainted with.

Here in the newsroom, lots of strange names come along, both in birth announcements and arrest reports. These days we’re not shocked by much. But as bad as some local names are, they are much better than the handles bestowed on their kids by celebrities.

I’m sure Heather and Brad will pick a fine name. Most of all, I’m glad they have the right to choose any name they want. According to a news story I just ran across, some parents don’t.

Sweden’s 1982 Naming Law prevents parents from choosing any names of “nobility.” Other names not allowed by Swedish law include those that are “not suitable as a first name.”

Rejected Swedish names include (so far) Metallica, Superman, Veranda, Ikea and Elvis. That sounds reasonable until you realize the Swedes accepted Google as a middle name. Go figure.

Things are no better in Germany, where law states that the first names should make the child’s gender easily identifiable. Parents are also forbidden from using objects or products as first names.

The result? Matti was rejected for a boy because it didn’t indicate gender, but Legolas and Nemo were accepted as righteous names for baby boys. That one pleased fans of “Lord of the Rings,” “Finding Nemo” and “Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea.”

The world’s worst place for baby-naming may be New Zealand. The country’s Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act of 1995 doesn’t allow people to name their children anything that “might cause offense to a reasonable person; or is unreasonably long; or without adequate justification.”

So far, New Zealand parents have been prevented from naming their offspring Stallion, Yeah Detroit, Fish and Chips, Twisty Poi, Keenan Got Lucy, Sex Fruit and Satan.

Unfortunately, Kiwi officials accepted the names Benson and Hedges (for twins), Midnight Chardonnay, Number 16 Bus Shelter and Violence.

By the way, for similar reasons, the Danes rejected the name “Anus.” It’s a blessing.

I’m sending my daughter the news story. After reading it, she might be ready to rethink Ricky Bobby and Bubba.