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Baby names

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Names spelled with diacritics

314 replies

Anonymousmember667 · 26/07/2025 08:40

Apologies if this has been discussed or answered before but I have a question if anyone knows the answer, or who to ask or has any experience please?

So some names have diacritics, usually the name originates from another language other than english. Maybe the most common ones being Seán, Siobhán, Chloé, Zoë, René, Beyoncé etc etc.

Say for example, the name Chloé, Are there any issues registering this name with the diacritic on the “e” in England; on the Birth Certificate, with the NHS, in the school system, with banks, on her passport, driving licence etc etc.

Most people wouldnt know but Its simple to press the alt gr button + the letter to get most of these diacritics on a keyboard or hold the button on an apple keyboard, but do government systems and organisations systems generally support diacritic names?

Is there a right or expectation for organisations to spell your name correctly in England? Doesn't GDPR say this?

Is she destined for a lifetime of her name being spelt wrong or is she allowed to be a Chloé with an “é” !?

Thanks for any advise or experience anyone has 🙏

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Anonymousmember667 · 26/07/2025 09:02

ReservationDogs · 26/07/2025 08:52

Demand from who?

Any company or organisation spelling her name wrong who cannot update to the correct spelling if requested for whatever reason?

OP posts:
CocoPlum · 26/07/2025 08:58

How are you pronouncing it differently with the accent?

WhatMe123 · 26/07/2025 08:57

It'll just be spelt Chloe by most as most won't know how to type it

Spies · 26/07/2025 08:54

DalstonsRhubarb · 26/07/2025 08:53

On the GDPR question, there is a right to rectification of inaccurate personal data and I suppose that could include the accents on a name. So you could apply to organisations to amend their records if they record the name without the accent. Life is short, however.

Gosh would someone really go to all that fuss. You're right life really is too bloody short!

Anonymousmember667 · 26/07/2025 08:53

Spies · 26/07/2025 08:45

Yes you can register the name with an accent (the more commonly used term in the UK) I'm not sure you can use them in a passport though you definitely didn't used to be able to include them.

Also I'm really not sure what gdpr has to do with this situation?? Confused

I could be referencing the wrong thing mentioning gdpr, but I thought it said companies and organisations have a legal obligation to hold correct information about you and keep it secure and spelling a name correctly would fall under that?

OP posts:
DalstonsRhubarb · 26/07/2025 08:53

On the GDPR question, there is a right to rectification of inaccurate personal data and I suppose that could include the accents on a name. So you could apply to organisations to amend their records if they record the name without the accent. Life is short, however.

ReservationDogs · 26/07/2025 08:52

Anonymousmember667 · 26/07/2025 08:49

I imagine so too! Most people wouldn't notice it or know how to do it, but if I or she really wants the “é”, is she allowed to have it or demand it or have a right to it.? Thats my question, Its pedantic maybe I know, but I don't know and wouldn't even know where or who to ask!? 🤷‍♂️

Demand from who?

CopperWhite · 26/07/2025 08:49

She is allowed to have the é, and she is destined to have a life of it being spelt ‘wrong’.

Anonymousmember667 · 26/07/2025 08:49

HedwigIsMySpiritAnimal · 26/07/2025 08:42

I don’t know about her “rights” to have her name spelt correctly but I would imagine 90% of the time it’ll be spelt Chloe I’m afraid 🤷‍♀️

I imagine so too! Most people wouldn't notice it or know how to do it, but if I or she really wants the “é”, is she allowed to have it or demand it or have a right to it.? Thats my question, Its pedantic maybe I know, but I don't know and wouldn't even know where or who to ask!? 🤷‍♂️

OP posts:
LadyGreySpillsTheTea · 26/07/2025 08:48

There’s even more of a complication with Chloé because I’m more familiar with the spelling Chloë - so people might choose the wrong diacritic or none at all.

DalstonsRhubarb · 26/07/2025 08:47

The standard form of the name Chloe has no accent- it’s Greek not French. Chloé is the brand.

Of course you can register it however you like but people will miss the accent off a lot. Whether you make a point about it will be up to you/your daughter.

Spies · 26/07/2025 08:45

Yes you can register the name with an accent (the more commonly used term in the UK) I'm not sure you can use them in a passport though you definitely didn't used to be able to include them.

Also I'm really not sure what gdpr has to do with this situation?? Confused

Anewuser · 26/07/2025 08:43

I doubt there’s a rule or law. People can’t be bothered even if there’s an easy solution.

HedwigIsMySpiritAnimal · 26/07/2025 08:42

I don’t know about her “rights” to have her name spelt correctly but I would imagine 90% of the time it’ll be spelt Chloe I’m afraid 🤷‍♀️