http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20051003/people_nm/cage_dc_1
yikes.
Well, look at it this way. There are probably a lot of people like me who have no idea what Superman’s birth name was. So it will just seem like an unusual name.
I take it that we aren’t worried about some gods causing a problem because Superman’s birth name has been used. That, of course, would be a whole different thing. 
I think it’s pretty cool! 
Oh gag. Gag, gag, gag. That’s as bad as Moon Unit and Dweezil.
Redwolf
I guess all us old farts have to accept that the cultural stuff we’re used to just isn’t the same any more.
A group of Katrina refugees came to Camp Edwards on Cape Cod. One woman gave birth there. She was so greatful to have made it throught the flood that she named the child “Cape Cod.” I don’t recall whether it was a boy or girl. I think they said they’d call her “CiCi.”
I think it’s all fine, although as a kid I remember looking up the origin and meaning of my name. It will be different for these kids.
Close, but not quite.
They could have been more subtle and named him “Cal L.”, with the “L.” standing for nothing.
OK – Who here remembers the Superman comic when Superman went into the 5th dimension to visit his nemesis Mr. Mxyzptlk and the only way Mr. Mxyzptlk could force Superman back into Earth’s dimension was to make Superman say his own name backwards and so Mr. Mxyzptlk kept trying to trick Superman into saying “Namrepus” and when he finally succeeded and Superman said “Namrepus,” Superman didn’t go back into earth’s dimension because “Superman” isn’t his real name so then Superman whispered “Le-lak” to himself where Mr. Mxyzptlk couldn’t hear and went back to Earth on his own because that was his real name “Kal-El” backwards?
Anybody?
I’ll bet Nicholas Cage does.
Ah, yeah… 
There ought to be a society for the protection of celebrities’ children from the imposition of stupid names. I believe one of Geldof’s kids has spoken out quite strongly on the subject.
Could have been worse. He could have been Robin Cage.
One of my uncles, the brother of my great grandfather, was named J. L., and the initials didn’t stand for anything, that is to say, the initials were his official name. He was named for my great-great grandfather, whose own initials stood for Joe Lee.
Presumably, Superman’s so-called birth name derives from the Almighty, who is referred to as El. I do not know the religious implications of this naming of Superman. Such prophets as Elijah, Elisha, and Daniel bore names incorporating El.
Some etymologists say that the Arabic word Allah is a form of the same word.
In Genesis 16: 13 we read that Hagar “called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou art El roi” which brings up the question of another cartoon character’s name… but we shall leave the discussion of the Jetsons for another time.
I have been acquainted with 2 patients who had initials for their given names, one TK and one LB.
Who knows what goes on in the minds of some parents.
That said, there are WAY worse names than Kal-el.
M
I do, I do!!
Believe it or not, I met a guy locally who’s name is Kal-El, with some sort of Irish surname.
Also, in Troy NY, there’s a Bizarro Funeral Home. I chuckle every time I pass that one…
Also, remember that “El” is his surname designation…his father was Jor-El, the comic book makes reference several times to “the house of El.”
During my time investigating I met a construction worker named Jorel (I asked him how he spelled it and if it was in reference to Superman…his parents were both comic nuts).
Bizarro funeral home?! LMAO
There is some protection here. I remember a few of years ago in Quebec a couple wanted to name their son Cowboy. I’m not sure who alerted the authorities (I think it was a registrar at the hospital) but it ended up in court, where the judge determined they had no right to label their child with a name that would cause the child a lot of embarassment as he grew up.
One of my favourite funny name coincidents was a Chinese dental surgeon whose family name was “Fang”. 
djm
That would just be disturbing. I would specifically put into my will NOT to have my wake there.
Yeah, but you have to admit that despite his name, Dweezil had a really cool green guitar. That makes up for a lot
my geometry / drivers ed teacher in high school was named Windsor Strange. He was.
My grandfather’s legal name is J Walter and my father’s legal name is J Mark. Supposedly the J stands for John though why that wasn’t just put on their birth certificates I don’t know. 