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Baby names

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

Do I change the spelling of her name?

30 replies

Runnergirl1 · 10/11/2024 09:07

So I have a 1yr old and she is called Adelaine (ad-e-laine) however someone commented the other day on her name being Elaine and I now can’t unsee it. For me personally I just don’t want her to be shortened to that. I have until the 12/12 to change the spelling of her name on her birth certificate and was thinking of changing the spelling to Adalaine (ad-a-laine). Doesn’t sound any different as I have a northern accent and dad has a midlands so it all sounds the same. I just don’t k ow what to do now. She doesn’t have a passport or anything so won’t take much to change but now I can’t stop overthinking it. Any help would be great x

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harrietm87 · 11/11/2024 08:35

I’d leave it.

It’s going to be confusing for people whatever since it’s a made up combo of Adeline and Adelaide (which is a beautiful name - originally German and pronounced Adel-eye-eeda), and fwiw I think the “e” looks nicer than having 3 “a”s in it.

user1492757084 · 11/11/2024 08:31

Leave it.
It is an unusual name.

Your daughter will always have to explain it so make it easy so that she can say...
It's just like Adelaide with an N instead of the D.

Gloschick · 10/11/2024 13:51

I don't think you need to change it. But if you did, you could go for Adeleine, which I think is a more common spelling (along with Adeline) . But then you are swapping Elaine with the Ad, for Madeleine without the M. I have a relative called Adelia, which could be a pretty shortening. I think Adie is cute though.

Deadringer · 10/11/2024 12:23

I think it's much more likely that she will be called Addie or Lainey. Elaine is in the spelling, but when people 'shorten' a name they don't look at the spelling.

Attelina · 10/11/2024 12:18

Adeline would be nicer.

Morven7 · 10/11/2024 10:35

Ratfinkstinkypink · 10/11/2024 09:18

How on earth did they get to Elaine from her name! Don't change it, it's a perfectly good spelling as it is.

It's the elaine bit😂😂

Cherubs4 · 10/11/2024 10:32

5

allaboutsign · 10/11/2024 10:07

Cherubs4 · 10/11/2024 10:05

Under 10

so 9 or 9 months 😆

sashh · 10/11/2024 10:06

Keep it. It is beautiful and it is her name.

Cherubs4 · 10/11/2024 10:05

allaboutsign · 10/11/2024 09:31

how old is your daughter?

Under 10

Turnups · 10/11/2024 09:49

Tbh I have never heard of either of them and think you are setting her up for a lifetime of problems as most other people won’t have heard of them either and will always ask her to repeat/spell it. I’ve known an Adeline and an Adelaide but not Adelaine or Adalaine. (My spell checker hasn’t heard of them either - I had trouble typing them both as it wanted to "correct" them.)
I don’t think changing the e to an a makes a difference so if you really want to keep her name, leave the spelling how it is. They are pronounced the same and she'll always have to tell people how to spell it anyway.

Haroldwilson · 10/11/2024 09:41

I'd read adalaine as ay-da-lane not add-a-lane

DublinFemale · 10/11/2024 09:40

But I would not change her name or preference of spelling

DublinFemale · 10/11/2024 09:38

I knew my DS name would be shortened so I got there first and shortened it to a version I liked.

he is known by that name socially, football etc and his correct name on paperwork and in work settings.

Mischance · 10/11/2024 09:33

Normally this name is Adeline, and pronounced as spelled.
Adelaine does have a hint of Add-Elaine, but if this is how you want it pronounced then however you spell it it will sound like that so I would leave the spelling as is.

allaboutsign · 10/11/2024 09:31

Cherubs4 · 10/11/2024 09:25

My daughter is Avelaine,after my mum. Never been called Elaine!

how old is your daughter?

allaboutsign · 10/11/2024 09:30

it’s a peculiar name anyway

so go for it i say

Runnergirl1 · 10/11/2024 09:30

@Cherubs4 that’s a lovely name, thank you for this. It really helps. My mind is fried with it all.

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Runnergirl1 · 10/11/2024 09:28

@Wolframandhart it’s said lane rather than line. It was just a name we thought of. Initially it was going to be Adelaide but we preferred the softer ending of laine x

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Wolframandhart · 10/11/2024 09:25

I would have gone for Adaline, like the film. Of maybe even Adeline. Where did your spelling come from?

Cherubs4 · 10/11/2024 09:25

My daughter is Avelaine,after my mum. Never been called Elaine!

CeCe45 · 10/11/2024 09:24

i wouldn’t change it, it’s a beautiful name and that’s the name you chose. Whoever gets Elaine from it needs their eye and or ears testing.

Moreteaandchocolate · 10/11/2024 09:21

Adelaine is a lovely name and spelling - don’t change it. I didn’t see Elaine at all!

Ratfinkstinkypink · 10/11/2024 09:20

Ignore me. I can see it now. I am sleep deprived after a rough couple of days with a 4 year old! I still wouldn't change it though, it's a beautiful name as it is.

Runnergirl1 · 10/11/2024 09:20

@Theextraordinaryisintheordinary
I’m not a fan of adel either. This is the problem haha. Think she will get Addie once shortened for nursery/school x

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