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Baby names

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

Original poster

How would you Spell...?

79 replies

Winchking · 27/08/2019 17:50

Hi all,
We've just had a baby boy, and have decided on a name, but can't decide how to spell it... the first way appears to be by far the most common way of spelling it, but I prefer the look of the second way and it sounds different somehow in my head, even though when I say them out loud they sound the same! I've no particular wish for the name to be 'unusual' for the sake of it. Which spelling do you prefer?
FINLEY
or
FINLAY

Ta!

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Saltnpepperr · 28/08/2019 08:25

I prefer the spelling Finlay.. think it looks a little stronger if that makes any sense!

Procrastination4 · 28/08/2019 08:01

(Prof.Google AND pg 1 of Mumsnet Blush!

Procrastination4 · 28/08/2019 07:58

I’ve seen “Finlay” as a surname (here in Ireland) , so I’d assume “Finley” would be the way to spell it as a first name. However, Prof. Google declares that “Finley” is the English spelling of the name, and “Finlay” is the Scottish spelling, so it really seems as if either is acceptable!

Grufallosfriends · 28/08/2019 07:57

I'd avoid the name as it must be annoying to constantly spell it out, given the different spellings eg Finlay, Finley, Finnley, Findlay etc.

Or just call him Fin?

percheron67 · 27/08/2019 21:25

Love the name. Reminds me of my friend's Dobermann.

youarenotkiddingme · 27/08/2019 21:22

Fab name!

I'm extremely south England and I pronounce it Fin-lee whichever spelling. I've seen both!

IsobelRae23 · 27/08/2019 21:14

Congratulations!!!! Finley

FantasticPhyllis · 27/08/2019 21:11

In England & Wales Finley is statistically more popular. I however prefer Finlay

YouBoggleMyMind · 27/08/2019 21:09

DS is called Finley.

I know someone who spells it Finnley and another who spells it Finlay 🤷🏻‍♀️

CoffeeRunner · 27/08/2019 21:02

Finlay.

DramaAlpaca · 27/08/2019 21:01

Finlay if you're in Scotland, Finley if you're anywhere else. Pronounced the same.

I prefer the look of Finlay.

TheDuckSaysMoo · 27/08/2019 20:58

Scottish here: Finlay or Findlay is the norm.

Pieceofpurplesky · 27/08/2019 20:51

Teach in a school with 1,000 plus kids. Lots of Finleys. The only Finlay is Scottish

Sparklysunflower · 27/08/2019 20:28

Findlay? Like 'to find' lay Confused

Sexnotgender · 27/08/2019 20:26

Finley. Finlay looks weird

I think the opposite. Wonder if it’s regional.

LemonPrism · 27/08/2019 20:17

Finley. Finlay looks weird

Smidge001 · 27/08/2019 20:16

Finlay. But pronounced closer to finn-Lee.

weebarra · 27/08/2019 20:13

I'm Scottish, have never see Finley. Either Finlay or Findlay.

GaraMedouar · 27/08/2019 20:11

I would spell Findlay so with a d in it for some reason.

64sNewName · 27/08/2019 20:09

Also in Scotland, and I only ever see it as Finlay, but as pp have said, here it’s pronounced the same way as Finley.

TreeSunset · 27/08/2019 20:05

Finlay.
But honestly spell it how you want and pronounce it how you want. You can prounouce it “bob” if you want

coconuttymummy · 27/08/2019 20:03

I agree with Finley. xxx

Sparklysunflower · 27/08/2019 20:03

Actually it was Fynn rather than Fynnley - I assumed Fynn was a nickname!

Sparklysunflower · 27/08/2019 20:02

It must be a pain to constantly spell out the name..Confused. I had no idea it could be spelled Finlay, Finley or Fynnley.

georgialondon · 27/08/2019 20:01

Finley

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