Australian journalist Kirsten Drysdale is currently in a bubble of newborn bliss, having recently welcomed her third child with husband Chris.
There is only one problem.
His son’s legal name is Methamphetamine Rules.
Australia’s New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages let the name slip during the submission process, although offensive terms are prohibited.
A spokesperson told news.com.au that they had “hardened” their systems to prevent it from happening again.
OK, mistakes were made, but why did Drysdale name his son Methamphetamine to begin with?
The Mackay-born TV presenter has been working on a story for the ABC WTFAQ program, which aims to investigate the answers to the audience’s burning questions.
‘What can I legally name my baby?’ has appeared consistently.
ABC reporter Kirsten Drysdale named her son Methamphetamine Rules.Kirsten Drysdale/ABC
While researching for the story, which will air Wednesday at 9 p.m., the then-pregnant Drysdale was trying to decipher the Registrar’s default name for a child if a parent’s first submission is rejected.
She didn’t get a clear answer from the government body’s media team, and when she was about to give birth, Drysdale decided it was time to take matters into her own hands.
“We thought, what’s the most outrageous name we can think of that will definitely not be accepted?” Drysdale told news.com.au.
“The Methamphetamine regulation we think will definitely be rejected, and then when it does, we can find out what name the Registrar has chosen.
“It’s really just a light and curious attempt to get an answer to this question.”
The couple thought the “Methamphetamine Rule” would be rejected but it was accepted.Kirsten Drysdale/ABC
Imagine Drysdale’s horror when his initial online submission listing his son’s fake name was approved “very quickly”.
A few weeks later, Drysdale got a surprise gift when an official birth certificate arrived in the mail, with ‘Methamphetamine Rule’ listed as his son’s given name.
“I don’t know how it slipped,” Drysdale said. “I’m not sure if someone is overworked, or if it’s automated somewhere.
“Or maybe, maybe they thought Methamphetamine was a Greek name.
“They didn’t give us a clear answer.”
The child’s name was listed as “‘Methamphetamine Rule” on his birth certificate. Kirsten Drysdale/ABC
Thankfully, the Registrar admitted it was a rare mistake, and Drysdale’s son’s real name, “common” should be approved any day now.
“Baby Meth’s real name … I didn’t reveal it publicly, because I didn’t want it to be associated with this,” he laughed.
“It’s a beautiful name and I can tell you it has nothing to do with class A drugs.
“We thought it would be a very unique 21st birthday present to tell him this story.”
A spokeswoman for Births, Deaths and Marriages NSW said it had revamped its processes following the situation, in an effort to ensure such names did not slip through the cracks.
They added that a name registered at birth remains on the register “forever, even if the name is officially changed.” However, in these “very unusual” circumstances, the Registrar helped Drysdale correct the name.
New mothers can change their child’s name to something not so unique.ABC
“The Registry has strengthened its processes in response to this highly unusual event,” the spokesperson said.
“The vast majority of parents do not choose a name for their newborn that is obscene, offensive or contrary to the public interest.”
As a general rule, names that are prohibited in most states and territories across Australia are names that are offensive or contrary to the public interest.
Swear words, sexual acts and any form of insults are also blacklisted, as are official titles such as Doctor, Queen, King and Prime Minister.
Despite the obvious restrictions, individual registrars evaluate names on a “case by case” basis.
WTFAQ airs Wednesdays at 9pm on ABC TV and ABC views.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
