20 September 2023 , 17:54
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It's becoming increasingly common for parents to give their child a more unusual name these days, but how far is too far?
One woman wanted to see how close to the edge she could go with ridiculous names - and was horrified when her baby name got officially approved by the registry office. Adamant it must have been a mistake, she couldn't believe she was allowed to name her newborn baby after the chemical name for the Class-A drug crystal meth.
Mum Kirsten Drysdale is a journalist who works for works for ABC's WTFAQ (What The FAQ) had the idea to investigate what she could legally name her baby and what would be banned.
She named her baby Methamphetamine Rules, choosing chose this as it would "definitely not be approved" and she wanted to see what happens to babies in such circumstances and hadn't been given a clear answer from the press office. To her astonishment, the name was approved.
She couldn't believe when the name was approved and on the birth certificate (ABC)Speaking to news.com.au, Kirsten said: "We thought, what is the most outrageous name we can think of that will definitely not be accepted? Methamphetamine Rules we thought would surely get rejected, and then when it does, we can find out what name the Registrar chooses. It was really just a light-hearted, curious attempt to get an answer to this question."
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To prove it, she then had the official birth certificate with the outrageous name on it. "I don't know how it slipped through I'm not sure if someone was overworked, or if it was automated somewhere. Or possibly, maybe they thought Methamphetamine was a Greek name, they haven't really given us a clear answer," Kirsten added.
"Baby Meth's real name … I'm not publicly disclosing it, because I don't want it to be attached to this, it's a beautiful name and I can tell you has nothing to do with class-A drugs. We think it'll be a very unique 21st birthday present to tell him this story."
Names that are usually denied are those that are deemed offensive, obscene, too long or official titles such as Mayor, Lord or Sir and the New South Wales Registry Office has taken full responsibility in accepting it was a mistake and assured Kirsten her son will be re-registered with his actual "normal" name.
A spokesperson for NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages told the publication that it had since overhauled its process. They added: "The Registry has since strengthened its processes in response to this highly unusual event. The vast majority of parents do not choose a name for their newborn baby that is obscene, offensive or contrary to the public interest."