‘Saddam’ Rises on Jordanians’ Baby Name List

AMMAN, Jordan — At least 412 newborn babies in Jordan have been named “Saddam” in honor of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, officials said today.

A senior official at the civil affairs department said that the name, almost unheard of in Jordan before Iraq’s Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait, has been given to 6% of all male babies born since then.

“Many Jordanians have named their male babies Saddam in honor of President Saddam Hussein, who has become very popular among the masses who regard him as the Arab’s hero,” the official said.

The name Saddam has become even more popular since the war began. Twenty-two baby boys have been named Saddam in the last five days, compared to an average of 17 per week since August.