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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

"unique" spellings *cringe*

184 replies

ReginaPhalange89 · 23/10/2018 14:51

Sorry if I offend anyone but I just don't get it.

I've just seen these name spellings on Facebook....

Edythe and Alyvia. I'm assuming pronounced Edith and Olivia. Whhyyyy

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CheeseTheDay · 26/10/2018 13:21

I think sometimes, people are quick to look down on names which they perceive to be bastardised spellings/versions, without checking if they are legit spellings/names in other cultures. I see/hear it a lot with Polish spellings. It is therefore, always worth checking a name/spelling - it doesn't take long to Google - before slagging it off. English names/spellings aren't the only ones that are valid.

I've had this very issue in real life, with my youngest son's name, which is almost identical to a very popular Biblical boy's name, it just has a different initial letter. The name is 100% legit, it's in the Torah/Bible, and was the name of several minor OT characters. It hasn't stopped people assuming that DH and I 'invented' it, by switching the initial letter, because the more familiar name is super popular.

People can like or dislike names, as they see fit, but don't write names off as being creative or whatnot, without checking, it's bloody ignorant.

MarthasGinYard · 26/10/2018 07:51

Whoops sorry wrong thread

MarthasGinYard · 26/10/2018 07:49

Yes agree

' Judge ....residing' always a good test IMO

OliviaStabler · 26/10/2018 07:07

I have no idea why anyone would ever think they could 'object' to a child's name when it has nothing to do with them.

Maybe to try and get the parents to take the blinkers off and see what impact calling their child a ridiculous name will bring?

There was similar thread a few weeks ago and someone gave an example of a ridiculous made up name they'd seen used (not based on race or nationality). Another pp asked how to pronounce it. A different pp said something along the lines of 'It's the sound of their CV hitting the waste paper basket.'

TatianaLarina · 25/10/2018 21:12

All names have been invented at some stage

Most names derive from words and aren’t invented as such. But writers sometimes invent names or popularise them.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 25/10/2018 21:06

I just think there is a difference between say using a spelling from another country of a name as opposed to just making up your own one.

Sarahjconnor · 25/10/2018 20:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 25/10/2018 17:50

how is it bastardising the pronunciation of a name from another country? It’s a basque name that’s ended up with different pronunciations in different countries, like hundreds of names.

I can’t see how any of those pronunciations is any more right or wrong than another.

IStandWithPosie · 25/10/2018 17:14

It's not unique, it's just incorrect in my opinion

What is?

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 25/10/2018 17:09

It's not unique, it's just incorrect in my opinion

Luffly1 · 25/10/2018 17:01

Ah, see I grew up with this guy m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1139215856111373&id=131493736883595&_rdr on the radio, Eoin Cameron, who pronounces it ‘Ian’.

Luffly1 · 25/10/2018 16:53

‘Eoin’ is pronounced like Owen? Shock

I always thought it was more like Ian!

Feel stupid now!

Dillydallyingthrough · 25/10/2018 16:43

BAME with a very typical 'ethnic' name here.

OP - I completely get what you are saying, some of the examples on this thread are so awful and NOT RACIST!

Really wish individuals would stop screaming racism at every fucking thing!!

isitthehormones · 25/10/2018 16:42

Yep, Irish, I’d just never heard of it! Thankfully my DP put me straight when he couldn’t work out what I was talking about.

TigerDrankAllTheWaterInTheTap · 25/10/2018 16:33

Eoin Colfer is a well known author.

Thenewdoctor · 25/10/2018 16:07

Eoin is an Irish spelling.

TatianaLarina · 25/10/2018 16:05

It’s Irish no?

isitthehormones · 25/10/2018 15:52

Not quite the same but someone I know called their baby Eoin. I thought it was unique and referred to the baby as E-oin.

It’s Owen. I still think E-oin in my head, but very glad I never referred to baby as that in front of their parents Blush

TatianaLarina · 25/10/2018 13:52

Hmm there’s a massive difference between names from different cultures and simply invented or misspelt British ones. And there’s a difference between existing variants and made up ones.

The racism I’ve seen on this forum is hostility to anything that isn’t boringly middle of the road British. People with Arab or African or E.European names for example are told they sound both horrible and made up.

But these days some names are made up, and ordinary names are misspelt to make them seem yooniq. It’s perfectly legitimate to object to that.

Bimgy85 · 25/10/2018 13:22

@Sarahjconnor because neveah is tacky as f

Bimgy85 · 25/10/2018 13:21

Oh I have worse one 'kacie' 😂 how alternative

SharpLily · 25/10/2018 12:45

Why do white middle class people get to decide what is an 'appropriate name'.

Which white, middle class people are you talking about? The people on this thread who have expressed disapproval? If so that's making a huge assumption.

Sarahjconnor · 25/10/2018 12:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SharpLily · 25/10/2018 12:27

It's definitely not 'Ex-hay' at the beginning.

I think @LethalWhite describes the situation very well. I loved a name for my daughter that had particular meaning forme. I didn't use it because I knew other people would think it's ridiculous and I didn't want to put that burden on her.