Couple in India Names Newborn Twins 'Covid' and 'Corona'

When it comes to picking baby names, many parents will draw inspiration from bizarre and, at time, controversial sources. This was definitely the case with an Indian couple who decided to name their newborn twins after the coronavirus pandemic. No, really.

According to the Hindustan Times, a Raipur-based husband and wife welcomed their fraternal twins on March 27, amid India's nationwide lockdown. The mother, Preeti Verma, told the publication she chose to name the boy and girl "Covid" and "Corona," respectively, insisting it was an attempt to put a positive spin on a terrible situation.

Verma explained she and her husband overcame a number of obstacles in the hours leading up to the twins' birth. Though her husband was able to secure an ambulance through a special service, Verman said police stopped the vehicle several times during the journey due to the travel ban. "But they let us go after noticing my condition," she said.

"The delivery happened after facing several difficulties and therefore, me and my husband wanted to make the day memorable," Verma said. "Indeed the virus is dangerous and life-threatening but its outbreak made people focus on sanitation, hygiene and inculcate other good habits. Thus, we thought about these names ... When the hospital staff also started calling the babies as Corona and Covid, we finally decided to name them after the pandemic."

The public relations officer for the hospital confirmed to the Hindustan Times that Verma had to undergo a caesarean section because of her "complicated case." However, the mother and children have since been discharged and remain in good health.

Oh, it's also worth noting that the couple is open to changing their children's names sometime down the road.