To not use proper spellings when naming your child

Catterpillarsflipflops · 2025-03-19T18:17:05+00:00

Am I being unreasonable to think it's ridiculous to use a funky spelling of a normal name. I spent today dealing with lost paperwork for a child as the person that took the details didn't think to check the spelling as there is no other spelling of the name. It looks silly and just causes no end of problems for the child. It also disadvantages them as straight away people get an image of what the child is like. I've seen Jaymz Ezmay Lil-leigh

pinkstripeycat · 27/05/2025 20:26

Spelling Isaac with SS ie Issac looks like you can’t spell. 😂 You can’t!

MissRoseDurward · 27/03/2025 18:45

I also know a Clementine so it is very inconsistent.

Clementine as a name predates clementine as a fruit.

I know someone with a child called Lewie, its awful

No excuse if he's in the UK and under six/seven. Louis is well known now even if perhaps it wasn't a few years ago.

Themagicfarawaytreeismyfav · 27/03/2025 16:27

I know someone with a child called Lewie, its awful

JanglingJack · 27/03/2025 15:46

Namechangetry · 27/03/2025 12:55

It was, short for Pelham (not a name you see on MN baby name threads!)

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Peckham maybe.

Namechangetry · 27/03/2025 12:55

EmpressaurusKitty · 27/03/2025 12:52

Plum was PG Wodehouse’s nickname, too.

It was, short for Pelham (not a name you see on MN baby name threads!)

EmpressaurusKitty · 27/03/2025 12:52

Plum was PG Wodehouse’s nickname, too.

JHound · 27/03/2025 12:27

BeholdOurButterStinketh · 26/03/2025 18:51

I really wouldn't want a strictly prescribed list if approved names in this country.

There are lots of names that might not be established existing names, but they're perfectly nice if they're your sort of thing - e.g. nature names like Rain, Storm or Ocean; and I never understood the absolute ridicule that was hurled at Gwyneth & Chris for choosing Apple for their DD, when nobody thinks twice about names like Cherry or Plum.

Then again, registrars should have the power to veto idiots wanting to name their babies utterly stupid things like Incontinentia or Tumbledryer.

Edited

Agreed.

I have never thought of the distinction people make between Apple and Cherry but good point.

I also know a Clementine so it is very inconsistent.

BeholdOurButterStinketh · 27/03/2025 00:41

I stand corrected: I was initially thinking of journalist Plum Sykes, but her real name is indeed Victoria!

It does actually quite sound like a Cockney insult - I can almost hear Danny Dyer now shouting "Oi, shut it, you plum!!!"

Whoshotjr · 26/03/2025 23:01

I’ve heard Plum used (rarely) as a nickname for Victoria, but not as a standalone name.

ItsUpToYou · 26/03/2025 21:35

BeholdOurButterStinketh · 26/03/2025 18:51

I really wouldn't want a strictly prescribed list if approved names in this country.

There are lots of names that might not be established existing names, but they're perfectly nice if they're your sort of thing - e.g. nature names like Rain, Storm or Ocean; and I never understood the absolute ridicule that was hurled at Gwyneth & Chris for choosing Apple for their DD, when nobody thinks twice about names like Cherry or Plum.

Then again, registrars should have the power to veto idiots wanting to name their babies utterly stupid things like Incontinentia or Tumbledryer.

Edited

I agree (although I’ve never heard Plum as a name!)

MissRoseDurward · 26/03/2025 20:39

I went to high school with a Philomena. When she first started school she thought she was stupid because the other children could write their names and she couldn't.

Though Philomena would be quite easy once she knew her sounds. All the letters do something and sound how they're supposed to sound. Unlike some examples given this thread.

BeholdOurButterStinketh · 26/03/2025 18:51

I really wouldn't want a strictly prescribed list if approved names in this country.

There are lots of names that might not be established existing names, but they're perfectly nice if they're your sort of thing - e.g. nature names like Rain, Storm or Ocean; and I never understood the absolute ridicule that was hurled at Gwyneth & Chris for choosing Apple for their DD, when nobody thinks twice about names like Cherry or Plum.

Then again, registrars should have the power to veto idiots wanting to name their babies utterly stupid things like Incontinentia or Tumbledryer.

RedOnyx · 26/03/2025 12:39

JHound · 26/03/2025 09:34

I am aware they do it in other places.

I don’t care.

In those “other places” they are more relaxed with overly intrusive state power.

Nobody should have to provide any evidence of anything when naming a child.

What if the unusual name you want is not part of your own culture? What if the name is not of rhe correct “gender”?

But anyway it will never be a thing in the UK so it’s all moot.

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It doesn't necessarily have to be from your own culture, but it does have to be a name. You can't call your child Table or Ceiling for example. Or anything that could be "damaging" - so no Hitler. Iceland is much, much more strict.

RaraRachael · 26/03/2025 11:10

I just feel sorry for the poor children who are saddled with a silly name for the rest of their lives because their parents watched a certain programme or were fans of a certain footballer.

I suppose they could change it when they're 18.

I dislike my name because nobody could ever spell it and I was always the only one in school with it.

JHound · 26/03/2025 09:34

RedOnyx · 25/03/2025 17:53

They do this in Germany. They have huge books full of names. If a foreign name isn't in their lists the parents can provide evidence that it's a normal/traditional name in their culture. My cousin was born in Germany and has a foreign name. Her parents had to get a certificate stating that her name is a common, female name in that culture. It was then accepted and she was registered with that name.

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I am aware they do it in other places.

I don’t care.

In those “other places” they are more relaxed with overly intrusive state power.

Nobody should have to provide any evidence of anything when naming a child.

What if the unusual name you want is not part of your own culture? What if the name is not of rhe correct “gender”?

But anyway it will never be a thing in the UK so it’s all moot.

EmpressaurusKitty · 26/03/2025 07:52

Fair play to @Candlebook for responding. Now you can join the game

Namechangetry · 26/03/2025 07:28

Naepalz · 26/03/2025 01:36

I know a Kacper, it is not a "funky spelling" he is Polish. That is how you spell the name in Poland 🙄

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RTFT 🙄

Candlebook · 26/03/2025 07:14

tulippa · 26/03/2025 06:59

Yes I have already been corrected by multiple people. Thank you. I learnt something new last week. 🙂

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Oh gosh, and now I’ve read on I see you’ve been corrected a lot. I’ve made a mental note to self to read thread fully before commenting 😊

Candlebook · 26/03/2025 07:10

tulippa · 26/03/2025 06:59

Yes I have already been corrected by multiple people. Thank you. I learnt something new last week. 🙂

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Sorry, just catching up with the thread 😊👍

tulippa · 26/03/2025 06:59

Candlebook · 26/03/2025 06:56

Parents might be Polish (or of Polish heritage) as Kacper is a commonly used boys name.

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Yes I have already been corrected by multiple people. Thank you. I learnt something new last week. 🙂

Candlebook · 26/03/2025 06:56

tulippa · 19/03/2025 18:34

I work somewhere where there is a sign to contact Kacper if you need a certain thing doing. I spent months thinking that's an unusual name until I realised it was a funky spelling of Casper. Parents obviously didn't know the letter c only makes 's' when followed by i, e or y.

Edited

Parents might be Polish (or of Polish heritage) as Kacper is a commonly used boys name.

Hollowvoice · 26/03/2025 06:50

tulippa · 26/03/2025 05:28

Yes I have already been corrected by multiple people. Thank you. I learnt something new last week. 🙂

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The thread that keeps on giving!

tulippa · 26/03/2025 05:28

Naepalz · 26/03/2025 01:36

I know a Kacper, it is not a "funky spelling" he is Polish. That is how you spell the name in Poland 🙄

Edited

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Yes I have already been corrected by multiple people. Thank you. I learnt something new last week. 🙂

sashh · 26/03/2025 04:48

JanglingJack · 19/03/2025 18:23

I had to think about Jaymz!

I'm not fan, but then naming my son with a common traditional name starting with G but sounds like a J, there were times he was trying to learn how to spell it, and I wished I had just called him Ben.

I went to high school with a Philomena. When she first started school she thought she was stupid because the other children could write their names and she couldn't.

OP

As someone given a unique spelling, before it was popular, I totally agree with you.

Naepalz · 26/03/2025 01:36

tulippa · 19/03/2025 18:34

I work somewhere where there is a sign to contact Kacper if you need a certain thing doing. I spent months thinking that's an unusual name until I realised it was a funky spelling of Casper. Parents obviously didn't know the letter c only makes 's' when followed by i, e or y.

Edited

I know a Kacper, it is not a "funky spelling" he is Polish. That is how you spell the name in Poland 🙄