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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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NannyR · 27/04/2023 22:24

I like Fern like the plant best. The Yorkshire pronunciation comment is bizarre - I live in Yorkshire and have family and friends in different areas of the county and have never heard phone pronounced like fearne. I wouldn't let that put you off an otherwise lovely name.

SirVixofVixHall · 27/04/2023 22:13

Fern.
Fearne is meaningless .

dwightschrutebeets · 27/04/2023 22:08

I prefer Fern

DramaAlpaca · 27/04/2023 22:06

Fern. It's simple, pretty and doesn't need messing with.

Fearne is fussy with unnecessary letters and Ferne doesn't look right.

drpet49 · 27/04/2023 22:03

FoggyDay58 · 27/04/2023 21:09

Personally I wouldn't choose any name that has a few different commonly accepted spellings. Your child will have to spell it for the whole of their life. Pick another name.

This

PickledScrump · 27/04/2023 21:59

My initial spelling would be Fearne, that’s the one I’ve seen most commonly as a name. But Fern would be second. Not Ferne though.

I love the name. We considered it but one syllable names don’t work well with our surname

Theoldwoman · 27/04/2023 21:45

Definitely Fern.

cocksstrideintheevening · 27/04/2023 21:36

Fearn

ourflagmeansdeath · 27/04/2023 21:35

I automatically prefer Fern! It's much nicer imo, Fearne is bizarre to me seems like a surname. Fern is the most common spelling where I am at least, most people would spell it like that.

Ferne isn't good either though. Fern for definite for me, it's lovely.

Retrievemysanity · 27/04/2023 21:34

Fern is lovely for a first name. The other spellings are more like surnames to me.

IWantToBeACat · 27/04/2023 21:33

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.

Eh? In Yorkshire, you're "On't phOHHne" nothing like "fearne"...

Bergamotte · 27/04/2023 21:32

Fern is the best option- by a long way. It is the actual correct spelling!

Ferne I would try to pronounce something like "Ferny" or "Fur-nee." And autocorrect tries to change it, which would be annoying for her.

Fearne as you say has "fear" in it. And if I hadn't seen Fearne Cotton's name enough to recognise the spelling, I would probably try to pronounce it "Feer-nee" or "Fe-ar-nee."

If writing down the name on hearing it, I would always spell it "Fern," without considering that there could be other options. So I think that is easiest.
And ferns are so pretty and fresh and graceful- why would you want to lose the association with them!

GeorgiaGirl52 · 27/04/2023 21:30

Fern - like the plant, nice and natural.

Fearne - Fear (rhymes with year) - Knee Just, No.

LulooLemon · 27/04/2023 21:28

Fern

WinterCarlisle · 27/04/2023 21:26

Fern is so pretty. Fearne. Just no. I can’t explain it but one (Fern) works and the other doesn’t.

You’re right OP!

Pjmasksonrepeat · 27/04/2023 21:25

Fern. My bestie is a Fern spelt like this and it's beautiful and so simple to out.

NBLarsen · 27/04/2023 21:24

I agree with you. There's no point to the extra letters!
When I see Fearne the word "fear" sticks out to me.
I would use Fern, same as the beautiful plant.

pancakesandpepsi · 27/04/2023 21:23

I’d go with Fern

Original poster
MissMoodyMoo · 27/04/2023 21:22

I think what is throwing me off with fearne is I'm dyslexic and when reading it the fear really stands out for me. I just really prefer Fern. We've agreed to his granny's name for the middle name so i may get to sweet talk the Fern spelling lol

OP posts:
SurvivingJust1 · 27/04/2023 21:21

Fern

It's a name and a name of a plant, too established to change I think

ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 27/04/2023 21:20

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.

People from Yorkshire are perfectly capable of understanding homophones in context. No reason to rethink.

Fern for sure.

Sandysandwich · 27/04/2023 21:17

I prefer Fern, its phonetic and I think it looks pretty.
Fearne is alright but makes me want to pronounce it Fear- nee, I know it isnt but it just looks odd to me.

I don't think Ferne is a name? And its more confusing to have a name that can be spelt different ways- but yours is not one of those spellings. I grew up with an Elisabethe and she hated that nobidy evwr got her name right.

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 27/04/2023 21:16

I like Fern. Very pretty. Fearne not so much, sorry

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.

GreenMarigold · 27/04/2023 21:14

Fern. I like the plant and I don’t like that Fearne has Fear in it!