Ron Artest Is Changing His Name to ‘Metta World Peace’

Ron Artest really wants the world to know that he is now a lover, not a fighter.

The always interesting and formerly pugnacious Lakers forward has filed papers to change his name to “Metta World Peace,” citing “personal reasons.”

The Lakers have been informed of the name change, but Artest has yet to ask the NBA to allow him to use his new name on the back of his jersey.

Metta is a Buddhist word, which means “benevolence toward all beings.”

While this name change cements Artest/World Peace’s status as a first-class eccentric, it isn’t exactly original: Lloyd Free, a high-scoring guard for the Golden State Warriors, legally changed his name to World B. Free in 1981.

[Fox News]