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Original poster

Which way to spell...

33 replies

3dogsandababy · 05/05/2020 04:53

After months of discussion, my DH and I have settled (finally) on a name for our baby boy. The only question is which way to spell it...

Connor or Conor

For info, we have an Irish surname but no immediate Irish family ties (I know through research that Conor is the traditional Irish spelling and Connor is more Americanised).

We both think we prefer the Conor spelling but I'm assuming most people will automatically spell it Connor so don't know whether to just use that for ease...

Thanks Smile

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LizzieAnt · 05/05/2020 15:49

I agree with @DeliaOwens that, in Ireland, Connor is mostly regarded as the spelling of the surname (O'Connor). The spelling Conor is far more popular as a first name. In 2019, for example, there were 427 babies named Conor and 18 named Connor.

Original poster
3dogsandababy · 05/05/2020 14:50

Haha I know what you mean @soupdragon 😂
I think we're more towards Conor, but thanks to everyone for your input 😊

OP posts:
DeliaOwens · 05/05/2020 14:46

In Ireland, Connor is more often seen as a last name/surname. Think Sinéad O'Connor.

There are two Diocese in Ireland (Armagh) using ConNor. One for Church of Ireland, the other Roman Catholic. That alone would push me to Conor spelling.

SoupDragon · 05/05/2020 14:42

They both look really weird now I've read them so often on this thread 😂😂

If you prefer Conor, go with that. I like them both.

Personalised stuff is so much easier now - you can get anything personalised with any name now if you look for it.

EyeShipMiceElf · 05/05/2020 14:35

Conor definitely. I know a Connor and I always just think it looks wrong and his Mum can’t spell.

merryhouse · 05/05/2020 14:29

I have no irish connections but I prefer Conor (Connor is a surname).

How likely is he to go through a phase of wanting personalised stuff? All the things you buy in catalogues are bespoke ordered anyway so it will only be mugs and keyrings in souvenir shops.

Original poster
3dogsandababy · 05/05/2020 14:18

We both prefer Conor but with being in England and no immediate Irish family ties we didn't know whether to go with the more popular spelling of Connor.
Conor does read slightly nicer with our surname...

OP posts:
HarrietM87 · 05/05/2020 14:15

OP trust me, there’s not going to be a raft of personalised stuff available with “Connor” on it - it’s not a common name. And it’s just wrong! It’s a surname! Why wouldn’t you give him the correct spelling?

LetItGoHome · 05/05/2020 14:14

What is your in partners preference?

Original poster
3dogsandababy · 05/05/2020 14:11

It's taken us the whole pregnancy to discover and like Conor/Connor, baby's due anytime now so don't think we've got enough time for a rethink 😂
It's so difficult knowing we've got to make a decision that will last for this human's lifetime...

OP posts:
HarrietM87 · 05/05/2020 14:10

The correct spelling is Conor, so use that.

LetItGoHome · 05/05/2020 14:06

You will be correcting people either way! There is no right way, so go with your preference. Some will spell it one way, some another. Most people will then go on to spell it correctly once told once. If it bothers you so much correcting people you may have to have a total re think and come up with something else entirely.

DramaAlpaca · 05/05/2020 14:01

No, don't change your mind! Use Conor, it's much nicer.

Original poster
3dogsandababy · 05/05/2020 13:57

Oh gosh I thought I'd made my mind up but I get what you're saying. Sounds a bit silly but when he goes through a phase of wanting personalised stuff it'll all be Connor won't it?
I don't know why but it seems the wrong spelling to me, don't know whether I've been staring at it too long!

OP posts:
Sb131216 · 05/05/2020 13:06

Connor
I think it looks better and is the usual spelling and pronunciation

Gets a bit tedious having to say Jane with an e, Elizabeth with a z etc.. Connor with one n

Dinosauraddict · 05/05/2020 12:50

I am English and would naturally spell it Connor. In England I think he would constantly be saying his name as 'Conor with one n' if you spell it Conor.

toastofthetown · 05/05/2020 12:47

I prefer Conor. The spelling disparity isn't too overwhelming to Connor either: 247 Conors and 461 Conners on 2018. For what it's worth people can mess up spelling any name. I saw someone attempt Konner for a classmate called Connor when I was at school!

Original poster
3dogsandababy · 05/05/2020 11:07

Thanks so much for these. I think we will go with the Conor spelling - it just seems like the right one and when discussing with family they spell it with one n too so that's one battle less to fight!

OP posts:
BabloHoney · 05/05/2020 10:57

I have a Conor. I always preferred the Irish spelling (we have Irish family) but when he was born last year I did have a little wobble and wonder if I should have used Connor as that appeared to be the “go to” spelling when people wrote it down (I posted a similar thread to yours!) now I’m so glad I stuck with Conor.. I think it looks much nicer
and friends and family are used to the spelling now. Congratulations. Great name choice Smile

peperethecat · 05/05/2020 08:51

To me Conor looks more correct, but both spellings are fine.

Whichever way you spell it, you need to be prepared for some people to spell it the other way. But I don't think this is a big deal as long as there isn't one normal way of spelling the name and you've decided to be youneeq and spell it a different way. (I say that as someone whose first name has about three or four perfectly correct and acceptable spelling variants.)

Malysh · 05/05/2020 06:43

I think you should go for the spelling you like. Whenever a name has several possible spellings you may have to specify ("Catherine with a C" or "Jaime not Jamie").

If spelling his name he'd be just as likely to have to specify "Connor with 2 n's" !

Bottom line, if you like Conor use it :)

pilates · 05/05/2020 06:38

Conor

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 05/05/2020 06:36

Conor

Spidey66 · 05/05/2020 06:34

Conor.

I'm Irish descent, for what it's worth, and Connor always looks like a misspelling to me.

IWouldLikeToKnow · 05/05/2020 06:16

Has to be Conor. Connor is a surname. But I would say that - I'm Irish

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