Beanie Babies maker renames Sasha, Malia dolls in respect to Obama family

The company that makes the popular Beanie Babies is retiring the names "Marvelous Malia" and "Sweet Sasha" from its Ty Girlz collection.

CEO Ty Warner of Oak Brook-based Ty Inc. says in a statement Tuesday that the dolls have been renamed "Marvelous Mariah" and "Sweet Sydney."


Warner says the original names were inspired by what he calls "this historic time in our nation's history," but the dolls weren't intended to bear the likeness of President Barack Obama's daughters.

Warner says Ty is changing the monikers in deference to the Obama family after First lady Michelle Obama said using her daughters' names was inappropriate.

Profits from sales of the original dolls will be donated to charity.