EXCLUSIVE
A mother has lashed out after being told she couldn’t name her son after an iconic Australian car manufacturer.
Isabella Hardy, 25, said she had originally wanted to name her son ‘Commodore’ but was told it was ‘illegal’ so she switched it to ‘Holden Commodore’ in 2022.
The mother-of-two revealed in a TikTok video on Sunday that she was ‘absolutely devastated’ when she was told the name had to be changed again after receiving a call from a Births, Deaths and Marriages worker.
“She said they reviewed my son’s birth certificate and these are the words she used; “We are unfortunately taking his name back, and we will send you a new registration free of charge to give him a new name,” Ms Hardy said.
She sighed as she explained why it would be a challenge to change her son’s name.
“He’s three years old and I have to give him a new name?” That’s all he knows,” she said.
She then opened a letter claiming it would inform her of a ‘new law’ from September 2024.
The letter would prevent her from using the names “Holden” or “Commodore” for her son.
The attached registration form stated a deadline of 29 days.
“If (the name) hasn’t done that [been changed]”I’ll be fined and his name will be taken away anyway,” she said.
‘So it looks like I have to change my son’s name.
‘Why would you even approve of it? Where do you go from there? How do you change a little boy’s name after three years?
‘I can’t. I’ll just have to keep calling him the same thing. It will just have to be a legal matter.’
Ms Hardy described the whole ordeal as ‘wild’ and said she was ‘about to see a lawyer’.
“Can you imagine your two- or three-year-old changing his name? Like it’s just stupid. It’s literally just a name.
Isabella Hardy, 25, tried to name her son ‘Commodore’ and ‘Holden Commodore’ but was told to choose a different name
“Then they will also force me to change my daughter’s name, I’m sure it will probably be revised.”
Mrs. Hardy’s other daughter is named Suzuki.
Despite Mrs Hardy’s intention to name her son after the beloved Australian car, ‘Commodore’ is a banned name.
Many titles of political, religious and military positions are prohibited names under Australian law.
Commodore has a high rank in the Navy, ranking below Admiral and above Captain.
Mrs Hardy’s first released a video in 2022 in which she revealed she had wanted to name her son Commodore.
“Originally we wanted to call him Commodore, but that’s illegal in Australia,” she said.
“So we called it Holden Commodore. He’ll be one soon, and I don’t regret it at all.
The mother-of-two said in a TikTok video that she was ‘absolutely devastated’ when she received a call from a Births, Deaths and Marriages worker (stock image)
“Holden Commodore suits him perfectly, and I know people will probably start copying me with the name because it’s so cool.”
Mrs Hardy’s latest video attracted thousands of comments, with many people making fun of her son’s name.
“Can’t you just register him with the Ministry of Transport?” someone asked.
“I honestly thought this was always a joke?” said another.
‘I had the same problem with my son, Nissan Patrol! My heart breaks for you during this difficult time. I had to change his name. Worst day ever,” a third said sarcastically.
Some were happy that the government had intervened.
“How lucky your son is that someone with half a brain saved him from the dumbest name ever,” one woman wrote.
‘Thank God someone is taking care of the child and his future. He will be grateful for this,” said another.
Many viewers sided with the young mother.
“How can they take away a name when it’s already done, when I don’t approve of new ones at all, but I know an old guy called Holden, he’s about 60,” said one woman.
‘You should be able to appeal the decision. I would seek legal advice,” said another.
Others asked if she could simply change the spelling to get around the rules, but words similar to official titles and ranks are likely banned.
The laws are in place to prevent cases where a person’s name could mislead others into thinking he corresponds to someone of military rank.
Names that are “contrary to the public interest” are names that “appear to be chosen for the dominant or exclusive purpose of business marketing or promotion, or that intentionally or accidentally cause confusion with a trademark or company name.”
Justice Family Lawyers explains on their site that atypical names are often allowed for registration in Australia.
‘Unique and unusual names can be legally registered in Australia if they comply with legal restrictions and are not on the list of illegal names in Australia.
‘However, parents should consider the possible consequences of giving a child an extremely unusual name, as the child could be exposed to unnecessary attention or ridicule.
‘Consulting family lawyers can be helpful if parents become involved in legal or family disputes over the chosen name.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Hardy for comment.