Dwyane Wade’s daughter Zaya is given a legal name and gender change

Following a court battle between Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, their transgender daughter Zaya was granted a legal name and gender change.

A Los Angeles County judge signed the new identity of Dwyane’s 15-year-old son in documents obtained by TMZ.

The daughter of the 40-year-old former professional basketball player, who came out as trans in 2020, is now legally going by the name Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.

The judge also granted her the official gender change from male to female. The name and gender petition was filed last August.

Last November, Zaya’s mother contested Wade’s request, claiming her son was being financially pressured into making the decision.

Wade (left) previously asked the Los Angeles County Superior Court to dismiss his ex-wife’s petition against their transgender daughter’s name change request. Siohvaughn Funches-Wade (right) claimed her ex is pushing a name change for financial gain

The retired NBA star argued in court that he had “full authority” to “make decisions on behalf” of Zaya when he was awarded custody of their two children in 2011 against Siohvaughn. online radar reported last month.

Funches-Wade filed an objection in Los Angeles County Superior Court in November to Zaya’s name change, accusing Wade of exploiting her daughter for financial gain.

In his last appearance, Wade said the allegations were “baseless.” He also claimed that his ex couldn’t prove why the name change wouldn’t be in Zaya’s best interest.

Wade also said that Funches-Wade’s opposition to a court petition to allow Zaya the legal changes was “libelous” and “nonsensical.” TMZ reported at the time.

Funches-Wade told the court in November that the NBA alumnus was looking to finally exploit Zaya’s story amid business opportunities with companies like Disney.

Wade, who played for the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls during his career, told the court that it was in Zaya’s best interest to approve the petition.

He said that “a court order affirming her identity will allow Zaya to live more comfortably and honestly in all aspects of her life, from simple introductions and food orders, to applying for a driver’s license and completing college applications.”

Wade said the “petition is about allowing Zaya to take on the milestones of being a young adult with confidence and joy.”

Changes: The son of the former professional basketball player, who came out as trans in 2020, is now legally called Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade; pictured 2022

Wade’s lawyers added: “Siohvaughn’s allegations are defamatory at their core and nonsense at best.” Dwyane filed this Petition because Zaya asked him to.

In August, Wade filed a petition to allow Zaya to legally change her gender and name from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. Zaya has been known by the name Zaya for two years.

Funches-Wade previously said in court documents that she believed Wade “may be pressuring our son to move forward with the name and gender change to capitalize on the financial opportunities he has received from companies.”

In his filed opposition, he said he wants Zaya to wait until she is 18 before changing her name and alleges that Wade was pushing the name change for businesses.

“I am concerned that (Dwyane) may be putting pressure on our son to go through with the name and gender change to capitalize on the financial opportunities he has received from companies,” she said in her legal filing.

He also cited a conversation in April during which he claims Dwyane told him “a lot of money has already been made and additional money will be made in connection with our child’s name and gender.”

“(Dwyane) told me that he intended to make our son very famous because of the naming and gender issue and also informed me that there would be sponsorships/contracts associated with that,” she says.