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Baby names

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

Original poster

Holly or Hollie?

107 replies

dadtobe22 · 28/07/2022 16:55

My wife and I are due a baby girl later this year. We'd settled on the name Holly.

However, my wife sprung a surprise on me Tuesday night be saying she wanted to spell the name Hollie. I don't feel this is the traditional spelling and I worry that they would spend their life correcting people. It is also a different spelling to holly, the plant, which the name is obviously derived from!

It's a shame I can't do a poll but what do people think. It would be helpful to get a sense check.

Holly or Hollie?

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Greentomatoes21 · 28/07/2022 18:42

We have a Lucie and yes we do have to spell it out sometimes but she definitely doesn't feel "lumbered" - she actually seems to like saying "It's Lucie with an ie" when the need arises. She says she loves her name. (I'm not even sure why we chose it except that I thought it looked nice written down, as a PP mentioned). A tricky one if you can't agree! I really like both Holly and Hollie.

Livebythecoast · 28/07/2022 18:40

I have a Holly and she was born at Christmas but we would have called her that even if she was born any other time of the year! I love her name ❤

Summertimesunshineandfizz · 28/07/2022 18:36

Holly
Hollie is a spelling mistake

Butterbeer4All · 28/07/2022 18:35

Please just spell it Holly

YouFellAsleep · 28/07/2022 18:34

I don't have a massively unusual name, but as a child in the 70's/80's I could never find anything with my name on. It's silly but I always vowed I wouldn't do that to my kids. In my opinion Hollie would struggle to get anything with her name on. I know that shouldn't be a deciding factor, but I've never forgotten it

KezzabellaB · 28/07/2022 18:30

Personally, I prefer Hollie. But then, I have a DD Kirstie, instead of Kirsty. Occasionally she has to correct people on the spelling but it's not exactly hard work! Grin

MerryChristmasToYou · 28/07/2022 18:27

Having a name spelling slightly different from the usual spelling can be a PITA.
It's your name and you don't want to have to spell it to people.

A friend has a -ie ending to her name when the -y version is the usual and as a child she got given personalised tat with the -y spelling. She hated it. Little Lucie did not want a ruler with Lucy on it.

TheDuchessOfMN · 28/07/2022 18:26

I agree with you. I personally couldn’t compromise on a spelling. I’d rather choose a different name, which would be such a shame because Holly is such a lovely name.

Friffle · 28/07/2022 18:25

Fair enough. If your daughter isn't due for another few months you still have plenty of time to talk it over or find a new name.

Original poster
dadtobe22 · 28/07/2022 18:22

Friffle · 28/07/2022 18:06

Will your daughter have your surname? If she will I'd be more likely to agree to giving way on this spelling. I can't see that saying 'Hollie with an 'ie' would be too much of a millstone.

She will have my surname as does my wife.

I take your point and there is so much in our relationship I am happy to compromise on but I just can't bring myself to spell Holly with an I and and E. It just looks wrong to me.

I would honestly rather we find a different name which I have suggested very gently.

OP posts:
KavvLar · 28/07/2022 18:22

Hollie.

‘Holly’ spelling associated with December / Christmas babies ime.

Original poster
dadtobe22 · 28/07/2022 18:17

Friffle · 28/07/2022 18:04

Well compromise is key. Maybe your wife has some good reasons for preferring Hollie

<feels self veering towards Hollie spelling>

The only reason she's given is that her (shortened) name ends in ie. And she wants the baby to be the same as her. However, an ie ending is more appropriate and widely used for her name than Holly.

OP posts:
balalake · 28/07/2022 18:15

Glad to see you have decided your prefer Holly. Unusual spellings of a name is a low level form of unkindness to a child.

Whichwhatnow · 28/07/2022 18:15

Holly, for all the reasons already mentioned.

I feel the same about Lily vs Lilly, Lillie etc.

Goawayangryman · 28/07/2022 18:11

Don't like Hollie at all. Frilly, frou frou and just .. no.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 28/07/2022 18:10

Holly. So much nicer.

Friffle · 28/07/2022 18:06

Will your daughter have your surname? If she will I'd be more likely to agree to giving way on this spelling. I can't see that saying 'Hollie with an 'ie' would be too much of a millstone.

Friffle · 28/07/2022 18:04

Well compromise is key. Maybe your wife has some good reasons for preferring Hollie

<feels self veering towards Hollie spelling>

Original poster
dadtobe22 · 28/07/2022 17:58

Thanks everyone for your comments. It's reaffirmed to me that Holly is the best choice.

Unfortunately this has created quite a big row in what should be a happy time.

It's just not something I feel able to compromise on as I don't want to lumber my daughter with a name she will forever be having to spell out and correct.

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 28/07/2022 17:41

Holly, gorgeous name I know a lovely little Holly.

FT123456 · 28/07/2022 17:41

I vote holly

lookforthesun · 28/07/2022 17:39

Holly

WGACA · 28/07/2022 17:38

Holly

Palg68 · 28/07/2022 17:37

There's not a huge difference tbh. It's a bit like Brown/Browne people will get the jist.

NotEnoughMud · 28/07/2022 17:35

I know a Hollye, just to mix it up!

Although I'd pick Holly.

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