Ron Artest Changing Name to Metta World Peace

Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest wants to change his name.

Come next season (if there is a season), the NBA star may known as ... Metta World Peace. Metta is a Buddhist-derived word meaning loving, kindness, friendliness, goodwill, benevolence, fellowship, amity, inoffensiveness and non-violence.

World peace ... You probably get that part.

You want a PEACE of this?

Artest's attorney filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday seeking the change. The 31-year-old NBA star was born Ronald William Artest Jr.

In the court documents, Ron cites personal reasons for wanting to make the change. An August 26 hearing has been scheduled regarding the petition.

Unless there is a clearly offensive or fraudulent intent, such requests are almost always approved, no matter how ridiculous. See Ochocinco, Chad.