Can I be sued for name references/parodies in a fiction book (novel)?

I was wondering to the extent that you can have references to popular culture/parodies in a fiction book.
The novel is entirely fictional, yet I like having references to real life and thought it funny if audience/readers notice it. Is this legal? Examples: a religious freak cult leader named Kristina O'Donell (reference to Christine O'Donnell), etc. , that sort of thing.
 
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