# An Australian Journalist tested the baby naming system with an unfortunate result **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 20, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422 "2023-09-20T13:24:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/1 "2023-09-20T13:24:51Z")
“Methamphetamine Rules” will have her name changed, but it will be part of her permanent record. It slipped through the cracks. > **[Australian journalist calls her baby ‘Methamphetamine Rules’ as a test of...](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/19/can-you-name-your-baby-methamphetamine-rules-in-australia)** > > When ABC journalist Kirsten Drysdale gave birth to her third child, she decided to put the Births Deaths and Marriages register to the test ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/2 "2023-09-20T14:48:26Z")
They say choosing your parents well is the most important decision of your life. In this case the little snapper _almost_ got it right. But stumbled just short of the finish line. Here’s hoping there’s nt too much lasting damage. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/3 "2023-09-20T14:54:24Z")
Should have picked parents that are rich and famous. Then it is okay to name your children after directions or bed coverings or ligatured letters or units of moons. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/4 "2023-09-20T15:09:07Z")
From the article: > Drysdale said she was under the impression that if a name was rejected by the registry, they choose one for you. > > She had reached out to the registry for answers to her show’s segment on what names can be legally given to a baby in Australia which will air on Wednesday. > > The spokesperson for NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages said it “does not choose what name parents give a child”. > > However, the state government’s website detailing the rules states if a name for a baby cannot be registered and parents do not provide an alternative, the registrar may assign a name. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/K6LC0ZB4ja4/hqdefault.jpg "Dinosaurs - I'm Dying You Idiot!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LC0ZB4ja4) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/5 "2023-09-20T15:21:17Z")
Sounds like a simple failure to read the directions. Or at least a failure to read them for comprehension. An unexpected failure in a professional journalist, but standards have been slipping for years. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/6 "2023-09-20T16:21:32Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/sVyRkl5qNb8/maxresdefault.jpg "Idiocracy | Not Sure") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVyRkl5qNb8) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/7 "2023-09-20T17:06:48Z")
This might give Florida Man an idea for what to name his kid, if he hadn’t won that Darwin award for naked gator wrestling. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/8 "2023-09-20T18:08:09Z")
Don’t worry. Florida Man has lots and lots of cousins and more distant relatives cut from the same cloth. A few million of 'em in fact. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/9 "2023-09-20T18:12:50Z")
Australia? I would have gone with Donteatmedingoes ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/10 "2023-09-20T19:00:53Z")
When it comes to embarrassing names, Australia still has nothing on New Zealand: > **[Parents lose custody of girl for naming her Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii](https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/jul/24/familyandrelationships.newzealand)** > > A nine-year-old girl whose parents named her Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii was put into court guardianship in New Zealand so that her name could be changed ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/11 "2023-09-20T19:13:26Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > “Methamphetamine Rules” will have her name changed, but it will be part of her permanent record. Most intriguing line of the article: > [@](#): > > Under the rules, the registrar will not approve a name if it is offensive and not in the public interest. It also will not approve given names that are more than 50 characters, include symbols, or an official title or rank such as princess, Queen, or goddess. Official title or rank such as goddess? That’s it. I’m moving to Australia. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/12 "2023-09-20T19:31:03Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Sounds like a simple failure to read the directions. Or at least a failure to read them for comprehension. An unexpected failure in a professional journalist, but standards have been slipping for years. I think you’re reading too much into it. From the article it was a light-hearted way to find out exactly how the new naming regulations worked in practice, because nobody really seemed to know. And “Methamphetamine” was chosen because it was so _obviously_ ridiculous that it would certainly be flagged and rejected. Except it wasn’t. I think it would be kind of fun to be that kid and to be able to tell the story that for a few days their real name was Methamphetamine. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/13 "2023-09-20T19:38:27Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I think it would be kind of fun to be that kid and to be able to tell the story that for a few days their real name was Methamphetamine. Maybe they’ll change the name to Crystal. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/14 "2023-09-20T19:39:13Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Official title or rank such as goddess? The “official title or rank” thing _would_ have made complete sense, it could be a problem if someone could potentially misrepresent themselves by using the name “Judge Smith”. But then the examples they gave made no sense at all. If someone says “I’m Queen Cleopatra Minogue”, is that really going to create any confusion with the real Queen Cleopatra? Are people going to think that “Goddess Campbell” is an actual goddess? ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/15 "2023-09-20T19:47:33Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The “official title or rank” thing _would_ have made complete sense, it could be a problem if someone could potentially misrepresent themselves by using the name “Judge Smith”. That didn’t stop Judge Reinhold… ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/16 "2023-09-20T19:52:44Z")
The official rules prohibit several names that are in use, such as Prince and Marshal (though they may allow Marshall?): > **[Naming restrictions | Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria](https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/births/naming-your-child/naming-restrictions)** > > Naming restrictions And whoever created that webpage is a Harry Potter fan… ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/17 "2023-09-21T01:02:35Z")
Who named their child after bed coverings? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/18 "2023-09-21T01:07:20Z")
Anyone remember Marijuana Pepsi? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/19 "2023-09-21T01:21:15Z")
Michael Jacksons, Blanket ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422/20 "2023-09-21T01:24:33Z")
That woud have saved Baron Trump a lot of embarrassment. Poor kid. Imagine having your name be an indictment of your parent’s social climbing? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-australian-journalist-tested-the-baby-naming-system-with-an-unfortunate-result/990422.md?page=2)