Schwarzenegger Pradella. Errolflynn Paixao. Charlingtonglaevionbeecheknavare dos Anjos Mendonca, a 31-year-old plumber who prefers to go by Chacha, melodically pronounced Sha-sha in Portuguese.Some scholars say the practice stems from a tendency to hold certain rich countries in higher esteem than Brazil, prompting some parents to aim for foreign-sounding names that may seem illustrious. A minor tradition of honoring American presidents has produced names like Abraao Lynconn Sousa Santana and Francisco Lindon Johnson Menezes da Luz Junior. The other side of the ideological divide is represented, too, in a name like Mao Tse Tung Lima de Moura.Others say it reflects centuries of immigration, conquest and slavery, a process that has mixed indigenous, African, European and Asian cultures to produce a fusion of identities. In a country with an array of musical traditions, from the melodious bossa nova to sertanejo country music, naming experts also mention the symphonious way some unusual names resonate when they are coined by expecting parents.A name like Sherlock Holmes da Silva, pronounced SHARE-Lockee WHOLE-mees in Brazil, certainly does have a distinctive ring to it.You ask someone why they chose a name and they say because of the sound, said Elaine Rabinovich, a psychologist who has explored Brazils naming practices. The people who are doing this are still not co-opted by mass culture. I think this is great.Some countries, like Germany and Iceland, strictly regulate the names parents can choose. Officials in Portugal, Brazils former colonial ruler, provide a list of approved names requiring parents to stick to tradition, allowing a name like Neoteles but eliminating Neptuno.But Brazil, unhindered by such hang-ups, ranks among nations where naming has evolved into something resembling a competitive sport. Neighboring Venezuela is also a contender, with its Stalins, Nixons, Hiroshimas, Tutankamens and Taj Mahals. Honduras has Llanta de Milagro (Miracle Tire). Zimbabwe has its Godknows, Lovemores and Learnmores.Brazil is much less freewheeling, however, for the unfortunate souls stuck with names they do not like. Changing ones name requires the approval of a judge who can rule whether it is ridiculous or offensive. But the process is often drawn out and laborious, as are many bureaucratic matters in Brazil, requiring a lawyer.The tendency of the courts is to deny name changes, said Gerson Martins, a lawyer who specializes in helping Brazilians change their names. Its a shame, because many names in Brazil are little more than alphabet soup.Though some people with incredible names press to change them, many Brazilians relish having a name that twists tongues, drops jaws or starts conversations.I have a marvelous name which makes me stand out above the crowd, said Creedence Clearwater Couto, 34, a student named in honor of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the American rock band.Now, almost no one in Brazil knows who they are, and 90 percent of the people cant pronounce it correctly, said Mr. Couto. But these were the guys who did Bad Moon Rising, he added, referring to their 1969 hit single. I am honored to be named for such artistic geniuses.While the elite tends to hew to traditional names in Portuguese like Pedro, Gabriel, Julia and