Baby Naming Regulations in Australia – Baby Is Named Meth Rules

While we are used to poking fun at suburban baby names such as “Breighlynn” or “Keighlynn”, this mom has taken it up a notch! But it is not what you might think it is. While other suburban moms enjoy naming their children names that seem funny to us (please, nobody tell them!), this mom had another reason behind the intriguing name. A journalist has officially named her baby “Methamphetamine Rules”. Yes, you have read that right! And the reason behind it is the new baby naming regulations in Australia. Here is everything that led to this point.

Baby Naming Regulations in Australia

Australia’s naming regulations dictate which names are prohibited and outline the approach taken by the Births, Deaths, and Marriages (BDM) authority when deciding whether to register a name. Names are considered significant as they are used daily and are crucial for both individual and legal identity. Prohibited names fall into three categories:

1. Obscene or Offensive Names:
   • Names that contain swear words or describe lewd or sexual acts.
   • Names that include racial, ethnic, or cultural slurs or imply such slurs.
   • Names likely to insult, humiliate, offend, or intimidate based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, ability, or other characteristics.
2. Names That Can’t Be Established by Repute or Usage:
   • Names impractical for daily use, such as excessively long names.
   • Names with symbols lacking phonetic significance (e.g., ?, @).
   • Names in the form of statements, phrases, or initials/acronyms.
   • Names referencing public institutions.
3. Names Contrary to the Public Interest:
   • Names that might mislead others, e.g., by containing official titles.
   • Names causing social disharmony due to their meaning or significance.
   • Names representing commercial or company interests.
   • Names chosen for fraudulent or improper purposes.
   • Names contrary to the public interest for other reasons.

3. Names Contrary to the Public Interest:
   • Names that might mislead others, e.g., by containing official titles.
   • Names causing social disharmony due to their meaning or significance.
   • Names representing commercial or company interests.
   • Names chosen for fraudulent or improper purposes.
   • Names contrary to the public interest for other reasons.

According to the regulation, examples of titles and terms that may not be registered include judicial, military, religious, royal, and political titles.

Woman Naming Her Baby “Methamphetamine Rules”

Kirsten Drysdale, a journalist at the ABC, decided to test these regulations when naming her third son. She submitted the name “Methamphetamine Rules” to the New South Wales Births, Deaths, and Marriages authority, expecting it to be rejected as an outrageous name. Surprisingly, the name was not rejected, highlighting a potential gap in the naming regulations.

How Was This Possible?

A spokesperson for New South Wales Births, Deaths, and Marriages acknowledged that the “unusual name” of “Methamphetamine Rules” had unfortunately been approved, indicating that it had slipped through their usual processes. In response to this incident, they have strengthened their registry’s processes and plan to work with the family to change the name. However, it’s important to note that a name registered at birth remains on the NSW Births, Deaths, and Marriages Register forever, even if it is formally changed later.

Kirsten Drysdale, who submitted the controversial name, had initially considered “Nangs Rule” as an option, referring to Australian slang for nitrous oxide canisters. However, she decided against it, fearing that the registry might not be familiar with the term “Nangs” and would approve it.

Drysdale believed that if a name were rejected by the registry, they would choose a name for the child. However, the spokesperson clarified that the registry does not select the names for parents; they only approve or reject the names provided by parents. Drysdale had contacted the registry while working on a segment for her show about legally permissible baby names in Australia.

Do you think this was a smart decision to prove a point, or is it completely ridiculous? Comment down below!