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Baby names

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Original poster

Spelling dilemma

85 replies

MissMoodyMoo · 27/04/2023 21:03

So we have agreed we like the name Fern, it fits well with our 1st child's name and our last name. However My husband prefers the spelling Fearne. I just don't like the A it makes no sense. So I've said we could compromise and do the Ferne spelling. I prefer Fern but could live with the E. What are people's opinions on this
Fern
Ferne
Fearne

I've told him the more we talk about the bloody spelling it will put me off the name all together lol

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wandawaves · 28/04/2023 03:19

And Ferne looks silly. Just spell it Fern.

wandawaves · 28/04/2023 03:18

IMO Fearne is not pronounced the same as Fern. I'd pronounce Fearne as 'fear' with an n on the end.

mathanxiety · 28/04/2023 03:08

Fern is perfectly fine.

The Fearne spelling is a bit silly.

EveryWitchWaybutLoose · 28/04/2023 02:05

Your DD will spend her life telling people how to spell it. Don’t do it to her.

If you have to use the name, stick to Fern.

EggInANest · 28/04/2023 01:42

Fern

NutellaNut · 28/04/2023 01:11

Fern. I also see the word ‘fear’ jumping out at me in Fearne.

Kokeshi123 · 28/04/2023 01:06

Fern fern fern

Lovely simple name and nature association.
Fearne and Ferne are just awful.

PassTheDuckie · 28/04/2023 00:45

I prefer Fawn! 🦌

I don’t like the Fear in Fearne. Nor do I like names where there isn’t one obvious spelling (and yes, that includes Stephen/Steven, and my own name too).

Luredbyapomegranate · 28/04/2023 00:44

Fern

Anything else is daft

user1492757084 · 28/04/2023 00:43

Fern is lovely.
It is classic, straight forward and well known but not top 20.

I love the connection with Fern Arable the sweet child from the children's book, Charlotte's Webb.

TriceratopsRocks · 28/04/2023 00:36

I had totally forgotten about Fearne Cotton, and wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it if I saw it written down. I would think Fear-nee or something! I do love Fern though.

FatGirlSwim · 28/04/2023 00:21

MissMoodyMoo · 27/04/2023 23:08

The Yorkshire comment doesn't really apply to us. We are in Scotland so it's pronounced with more of a sharp R than I imagine it would be with an English accent

Would it become ferrun? Like Pearl becomes peril? Would that bother you?

Fern is the nicer spelling, stick to your guns!

FatGirlSwim · 28/04/2023 00:19

RenoDakota · 27/04/2023 22:37

Re the Yorkshire thing, I think the poster probably meant East Yorkshire / Hull. Think Lucy Beaumont.

I went to uni with someone with this accent. Phone would sound like Fern.
she pronounced coke like Kirk.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 27/04/2023 23:12

Fern

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 27/04/2023 23:12

Fern.
Ferne is odd, and I agree that Fearne seems like a surname.

GeraltsBathtub · 27/04/2023 23:10

Definitely Fern. The simplest and most intuitive (in this case, due to being the same as the plant) option is usually the best spelling for a name.

DrMeredithGrey2023 · 27/04/2023 23:09

Ferne is a surname.

I've never, in all my years experience with the name, had anyone struggle with the pronunciation of Fearne.

UsingChangeofName · 27/04/2023 23:08

I don't really like it for a person, but if you are going to use it, I would spell it like the plant (which is presumably where it comes from?)

Fearne just seems like a lot of extra, unnecessary letters to me.

I agree with the pp who said it is a right pain to have a name that people spell in different ways.

Original poster
MissMoodyMoo · 27/04/2023 23:08

The Yorkshire comment doesn't really apply to us. We are in Scotland so it's pronounced with more of a sharp R than I imagine it would be with an English accent

OP posts:
fairycupcakes · 27/04/2023 23:06

Fern, hands down. Easy to pronounce and very pretty. I’ve known 2 Fern’s and both spell it this way, as in the plant 🌱

Ferne looks wrong and Fearne has “fear” in it which weirdly really sticks out to me and it’s probably likely to be mispronounced.

Buebananas · 27/04/2023 23:05

Fern

Fearne sounds like Fear with an n

RenoDakota · 27/04/2023 22:37

Re the Yorkshire thing, I think the poster probably meant East Yorkshire / Hull. Think Lucy Beaumont.

Velvetbee · 27/04/2023 22:32

Fern. Beautiful name.

Treasureboxkey · 27/04/2023 22:31

RogerTheTodger · 27/04/2023 21:16

You couldn't use it in Yorkshire, as people there talk about being on the Fearne (when they mean 'phone'). It might have unwanted connotations.

I'd have a complete re-think.

I don't think that I've heard anyone in Yorkshire say phone with an er sound in it. It's a long hard oa here.
'I'm just on't foan.'

Fern has a lovely simple elegance to it. I agree with you about the random a in the other spelling.
My name has an odd letter that could/could not be in there and I hate having to specify every time. Fearne would be worse because it's less common and more complicated.

Newmum777777 · 27/04/2023 22:26

Fern 100% don’t know why anyone would consider anything else. I adore it.