Have you ever met someone and thought, “Why would your parents name you that? Surely that kind of name should be illegal.” Well, here’s a story that might pique your interest. Kirsten Drysdale, the host of the ABC show “WTFAQ,” has taken an unconventional step by legally naming her newborn child “Methamphetamine Rules.” Her intent? To investigate the naming regulations in Australia.
On her show, which is dedicated to answering viewers’ most pressing questions, a significant number of people have been curious about what names are legally permissible for newborns and whether the government would intervene in any way.
Drysdale’s research led her to a surprising revelation: Australia lacks an official list of prohibited names for children. However, there is one crucial restriction – parents cannot name their child an offensive term.
But what happens when a child is given a name as controversial as “Methamphetamine Rules”? Would the government step in to change it if the parents fail to provide a more suitable name?
This question became a persistent challenge for Drysdale: What would the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages default a child’s name to in such a scenario?
Throughout the production of the episode, she tirelessly sought an answer that would satisfy her and her audience. She consulted legal experts and spoke with representatives from the Registry’s media team, yet none of them could definitively outline the process by which a child would be renamed if an offensive name were chosen.
Determined to find an answer, Drysdale decided to put this matter to the test in the only way she believed she could receive a conclusive response. Fortunately, she was already well into her pregnancy.
The result? Her newborn son is officially named “Methamphetamine Rules.”
Surprisingly, Drysdale didn’t have to wait long for the government to step in and rename her child. In fact, they didn’t intervene at all. As it stands, until Drysdale and her husband provide an alternative name, the world will have to get used to “Methamphetamine Rules Drysdale.” We can only imagine the unconventional gifts at the baby shower.
