correct spelling

[sothrngrl]

We are interested in naming our unborn son after my husband's father; however, my husband was adopted by his maternal grandmother and knew very little about his father. This is a healing process for him. His father's was a West Indie-carribean and his name is/was RENNY; however we are unsure of the correct spelling. Can anyone offer any suggestions on the correct spelling? Thanks a bunch!

[myotherusernameisbetter]

It's probably René but I guess it could be spelled any way. Would maybe depend on the island? René is French so would be more common on particular Caribbean islands i.e. Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts etc. but could have been subsequently changed or it could also be short for something too.

Does he know which Island his dad was from? Is there any change of being able to track down more info?

[myotherusernameisbetter]

"chance", not "change".

[NickNacks]

Could you get a copy of his birth certificate ?

[sothrngrl]

@NickNacks...without a correct spelling, it appears to be difficult obtaining a birth certificate. My husband knows even less about his paternal grandparents.

[sothrngrl]

@myother: this is great information. We don't know the specific island...again, he knows very little about his paternal grandparents. Thanks a bunch!

[myotherusernameisbetter]

Do you know the surname at all? If not, it's perfectly possible that Rennie was maybe his surname and that's what he was known as locally.

Maybe you could just choose a West Indian/Caribbean name that you both like as a nod to his heritage?

[NickNacks]

I meant your husband's birth certificate.

[florascotia]

OP It's a lovely idea. As other posters have said, the spelling could be either Rene (if from the French Caribbean - sorry, I can't do accents on this computer) or else Rennie (because - alas - many Scots went to manage sugar planatations in the Caribbean and workers were often known by the names of the local estate). In the absence of other information, I think you could use either version, and explain to your little boy when he's old enough that there might be an alternative spelling.

Just in case it is of interest, here is an article on Scottish names in the Caribbean, by Professor Geoff Palmer, a pioneering academic:
www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Histories/slavery/caribbean_slavery.htm

Palmer's own life story:
www.theguardian.com/education/2010/sep/28/geoff-palmer-interview

[Gingerjv]

I think it could be Renée (like actress Zellweger) or Rennie or Rene (like Rene Russo). I do not know other spelling of this name