Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not use proper spellings when naming your child

934 replies

Catterpillarsflipflops · 19/03/2025 18:17

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Ebananascroogey · 20/03/2025 10:49

I've recently worked with an apprentice called Sheeohbahn. I had no words for that one!
Also know a Beeatrize.

I like @tulippa for a name, but it's a bit plain, so i might spell it Tewleeapah 😂

Pinkyhere · 20/03/2025 10:49

Destiny123 · 19/03/2025 23:33

Had a nurse prewarn me as the mum had just had a go at her for not knowing 'ka-ia' is kardashia as "you pronounce the dash (hyphen)"

If that's true, it wins the thread.

CrystalSingerFan · 20/03/2025 10:42

AlternativeCarpark · 20/03/2025 09:45

I was in a queue behind a woman who was picking up something for her child. On being asked the name she said "Sydney". Not unreasonably the person behind the counter checked if that was Sidney or Sydney as they both sound the same. The woman spelled it out as "Cydney".

I used to like a US soprano called Cyndia (Sieden) pronounced Sindia. Apparently the name comes from the Greek, meaning "from Mount Kynthos" Isn't that lovely?

Loads more here: https://namesdict.com/articles/Cyndia

Interesting that: "Cyndia ... experienced a brief surge in popularity during the 1960s and 70s. This period saw a rise in names with unconventional spellings and unique sounds, making Cyndia a popular choice for parents seeking something different." Plus ça change.

TorieMJ · 20/03/2025 10:39

God it’s so awful. And like you say, people will make a snap judgement. I would 100% have changed my name by deed poll at 16 if I was saddled with something like this.

BeholdOurButterStinketh · 20/03/2025 10:38

Crazybaby123 · 20/03/2025 10:20

I love the name, I think it should make a come back. But definitely it would be unusual!!

Show quote history

There was (maybe still is) a range of tents at our local camping store called Zenobia!

OchonAgusOchonOh · 20/03/2025 10:26

Dangerouz · 20/03/2025 09:53

I know a Loui, Sharn and an Aoife (pronounced A o fee) also a Kortnee and a Esmeee.

Given Aoife is a perfectly normal Irish name, I assume the parents are not Irish and just saw it written down and decided they liked the look of it.

Reminds me of the English co-worker who asked me how I pronounced my Irish name and, upon hearing the correct pronunciation, announced they preferred their way of saying it and continued to mispronounce it until I moved jobs a year later. I was young, in my first job and she was quite senior so I just ignored it, particularly as pretty much every else mispronounced it in a variety of ways, although most did at least make an effort.

Crazybaby123 · 20/03/2025 10:20

Heggettypeg · 20/03/2025 03:29

Zenobia is a very old name, she was a 3rd century Empress of Palmyra. I don't know much about her but can remember a heading in a book, something about "She defied the might of Rome". So quite a woman, I guess.

Show quote history

I love the name, I think it should make a come back. But definitely it would be unusual!!

rainbowstardrops · 20/03/2025 10:18

Our DS's name is Pledge - it's like Barry, but it's polish.

Oh my days, I don't usually actually laugh out loud when I read threads but this one has had me crying with laughter! 🤣
Poor @tulippa, you have the patience of a saint!!! Oh and float my goat too!
What a thread! 🤣

VictorianBigot · 20/03/2025 10:16

Käßpör

PinkoPonko · 20/03/2025 10:03

RominaDina · 19/03/2025 20:48

Good question. I wonder how the Celts spelt Kacper?

Show quote history

Cáisper? Càsphair? Casbhaer? Cáspuir? Caesbhairn?

trufflesandolives · 20/03/2025 10:02

In Iceland they have a closed list of names parents have to chose from and if they want a name that's not on the list they need to apply for permission. That could solve the issue Grin

Dangerouz · 20/03/2025 09:53

I know a Loui, Sharn and an Aoife (pronounced A o fee) also a Kortnee and a Esmeee.

PrettayGood · 20/03/2025 09:53

I agree.

It’s an excellent barometer of stupidity. I know someone who named her daughter ‘Charliey’ and where I work, there is a ‘Chevonne’. This makes me wince every time I see or hear it as it’s a hideous mis-spelling that mis-pronounces it too.

AlternativeCarpark · 20/03/2025 09:45

I was in a queue behind a woman who was picking up something for her child. On being asked the name she said "Sydney". Not unreasonably the person behind the counter checked if that was Sidney or Sydney as they both sound the same. The woman spelled it out as "Cydney".

Natsku · 20/03/2025 09:43

CrystalSingerFan · 19/03/2025 23:29

Give the man a break! Although can the hive mind find a name that works in four or more European languages?

Show quote history

Maria

Whoshotjr · 20/03/2025 09:41

Also agree with pp that Siobhán spelt with an r has to be a spelling devised by someone with an English (or other non-rhotic) accent, not an Irish one.

Whoshotjr · 20/03/2025 09:39

MidnightMillie · 20/03/2025 01:32

Yes, Cork.

Show quote history

That’s baffles me though.
Why? I don’t get it.

Shinaed would cause far more pronunciation issues than Sinéad would in Cork.

Natsku · 20/03/2025 09:38

FondantFancyFan · 20/03/2025 06:07

I made the mistake of calling Iris in the standard way, she pronounced it as Eeeris eventhough it was spelt the usual way.

Edited

That's how its pronounced in Finnish, probably other European languages too.

Mistyglade · 20/03/2025 09:34

BarneyRonson · 19/03/2025 18:27

It reeks of that banal urge to be YouNeek.

🤣
I am working class but i find it common and embarrassing.

BeholdOurButterStinketh · 20/03/2025 09:28

We once briefly knew a man called Steward. He told us (as he probably had to tell every single person he ever met) that his parents had meant to call him Stewart, but his dad had made a blunder with his birth certificate and, instead of an actual name, had named him after the occupation of a man who works in airline cabin crew!

CrystalSingerFan · 20/03/2025 09:27

BeholdOurButterStinketh · 20/03/2025 09:12

I feel so bad responding to such an educated, highly thought-out post with something asinine, but yes, it is indeed just that it always (genuinely) makes me think of 'shopping hour'!

Having said that, QVC is on 24/7, isn't it - so hardly just an hour?! Maybe I'm thinking more of when certain minor channels have those extended adverts for whatever JML are selling now from 5-6am!

Show quote history

Love you! My post is entirely based on my inability to appreciate puns as their onlie begetters think they should be (exception for Pledge, obvs), and having Googled Schopenhauer's basic philosophy. 😎

MrsGusset · 20/03/2025 09:19

I lay in bed last night wondering what the Polish is for RTFT.

This thread's given me a good laugh so thank you to @tulippa for your patience & good humour. Glad you got home OK and may your goats forever float.

CrystalSingerFan · 20/03/2025 09:14

Greentrilby · 20/03/2025 08:18

I hope this hasn’t been said before …..
but can this thread be added to Classics simply because of @tulippa
she’s a ledjund.

Seconded!

(With a special mention to @BeholdOurButterStinketh for Pledge.)

BeholdOurButterStinketh · 20/03/2025 09:12

CrystalSingerFan · 20/03/2025 08:57

Interesting! When I Googled "Schopenhauer QVC", the AI looked like it was trying to work a connection out but then gave up and said: "An AI Overview is not available for this search" 😥

I'm guessing that you're making some punning connection with Schop/shop? Or a more carefully thought out link with the basic tenets of his philosophy? Along the lines of "the world is driven by an insatiable, blind "will to live," leading to constant striving, suffering, and ultimately, the futility of existence." I'd love to know.... 😋

Show quote history

I feel so bad responding to such an educated, highly thought-out post with something asinine, but yes, it is indeed just that it always (genuinely) makes me think of 'shopping hour'!

Having said that, QVC is on 24/7, isn't it - so hardly just an hour?! Maybe I'm thinking more of when certain minor channels have those extended adverts for whatever JML are selling now from 5-6am!

NeedWineNow · 20/03/2025 09:10

Thank you all those who commented on my post (sorry tablet playing up and I can't put your usernames on for some reason). Interestingly, when I've been asked in the past to spell my name most people had started to spell it with a C rather than K and I've had to correct them. I suspect the registrar who my mum and dad encountered would have heart failure at some of the names nowadays!