Home Australia Brutal blow for young mum after she is told to change her son’s very controversial name a SECOND time

Brutal blow for young mum after she is told to change her son’s very controversial name a SECOND time

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Isabella Hardy, 25, tried to name her son 'Commodore' and 'Holden Commodore' but was told she had to choose a different name.

EXCLUSIVE

A mother has lashed out after being told she would not be allowed to name her son after an iconic Australian car manufacturer.

Isabella Hardy, 25, said she originally wanted to name her son ‘Commodore’ but was told it was ‘illegal’ so she changed 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 her name would have to be changed again after receiving a call from a Births, Deaths and Marriages worker.

‘He said they had checked my son’s birth certificate and these were the words he used; “Unfortunately we are basically going to get his name back and send him a new registration for free to give him a new name,” Mrs Hardy said.

He sighed as he explained why it would be a challenge to change his son’s name.

‘He’s three years old and do I have to give him a new name?’ “That’s all he knows,” he said.

She then opened a letter that she said was to inform her about a “new law” starting in September 2024.

The letter allegedly prevented her from using the names ‘Holden’ or ‘Commodore’ for her son.

The attached registration form had a deadline of 29 days.

“If (the name) hasn’t (been changed), I’ll get a fine and they’ll take your name away anyway,” he said.

“It seems I have to change my son’s name.”

‘Why approve it in the first place? Where do you go from there? How do you change a child’s name after three years?

‘Can’t. I’m going to have to keep calling him the same. “It will have to be something legal.”

Ms Hardy described the whole ordeal as “wild” and said she was “about to see a solicitor”.

‘Can you imagine your two or three year old son 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 she had to choose a different name.

“The next thing they’re going to do is change my daughter’s name too, I’m sure it’ll probably be under review.”

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 political, religious and military office titles are prohibited under Australian law.

Commodore is a senior rank in the Navy that falls below Rear Admiral, above Captain.

Ms. Hardy first posted a video in 2022 in which she revealed that she wanted to name her son Commodore.

“At first we wanted to call it Commodore, but that’s illegal in Australia,” he said.

‘So we called it Holden Commodore. It will soon be and I don’t regret it at all.

The mother of two said in a TikTok video that she was

The mother-of-two said in a TikTok video that she was “absolutely devastated” to have received a call from a Births, Deaths and Marriages worker (file image)

“Holden Commodore fits it perfectly and I know people will probably start copying me with the name because it’s so cool.”

Hardy’s latest video attracted thousands of comments, many of them mocking his son’s name.

“Couldn’t you just register it with the Department of Transportation?” asked one.

‘This whole time did I really think 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 of my life,” a third said sarcastically.

Some were glad the government had intervened.

“How lucky your son is that someone with half a brain saved him from having the dumbest name ever,” one woman wrote.

‘Thank God, someone is taking care of the child and his future. He will thank you,” said another.

Many viewers took the side of the young mother.

“How can they take away a name once it’s done? I don’t fully approve of the new ones, but I know an old guy called Holden, he’s like 60 years old,” one woman said.

‘You should be able to appeal the decision. I would seek legal advice,” said another.

Others asked if he could simply change the spelling to get around the rules; however, words that resemble official titles and ranks will likely be banned.

Laws exist to prevent cases where someone’s name could mislead others into assuming that it corresponds to someone who has a military rank.

Names “contrary to the public interest” are those that “appear to have been chosen for the dominant or exclusive purpose of marketing or business promotion or that deliberately or accidentally create confusion with a trademark or trade name.”

Justice Family Lawyers explains on their site that atypical names are often allowed to be registered 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 ramifications of giving a child an extremely unusual name, as it could subject them to unnecessary attention or ridicule.

“Consulting with family lawyers can be beneficial if parents find themselves in legal or family disputes over the chosen name.”

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Hardy for comment.

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