Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Is spelling a concern with this name?

56 replies

NRams · 15/07/2026 12:26

How do you feel about the name Emmett for a boy? DH's mum keeps writing it as Emmet, and my dad has misspelt it as Emmitt. They cannot seem to remember that it's Emmett. I really did not think that spelling would be a concern with this name. Do you think it will be misspelt frequently? Is it just our parents?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Shinyandnew1 · 15/07/2026 13:35

Emmet (double m one t) was the master builder main character in the Lego movie, that’s how I’d spell it.

TheSquareMile · 15/07/2026 13:32

'Emmet' is an archaic word for 'ant', the insect. From Old English.

I think that people would spell it with various combinations of 'm' and 't'.

Thenwhatnow · 15/07/2026 13:24

Emmett Till was my first thought. 😢😓 What a tragic reminder of a name.

It feels rather American (in usage).

StrongandNorthern · 15/07/2026 13:20

Honestly, it will be mis spelled a lot!I
Too many 'variables' - one m or two? one t or two? et or it at the end?

Imherearenti · 15/07/2026 13:16

Emmett is the best and usual spelling. Emmet looks incomplete. Emmitt just looks like a typo.

bananaapplepears · 15/07/2026 13:16

Lunde · 15/07/2026 13:11

IIRC Onslow was the BIL married to Daisy

Emmet was the brother of Elizabeth, the woman next door (who dropped cups). Emmet was a musician who Hyacinth used to sing at every time they met,

Show quote history

This is who I thought of when I opened the thread.

24Dogcuddler · 15/07/2026 13:15

I’d only heard of Emmett J. Scanlan the actor.
Had to Google the Cornish reference.

ICantStomachWhelks · 15/07/2026 13:15

Laloubaloo · 15/07/2026 12:58

Onslow was the brother in law.

Emmett was the slightly camp neighbour. It was where my mind immediately went to hearing the name!

Show quote history

Oh yes! I'd completely forgotten him!

WaneyEdge · 15/07/2026 13:14

Lunde · 15/07/2026 12:45

Wasn't Emmet the neighbour in Keeping Up Appearances?

Yes, the one who was terrified of Hyacinth! 🤣

12234m · 15/07/2026 13:13

ICantStomachWhelks · 15/07/2026 12:48

Onslow

Show quote history

Onslow wasn't a neighbour. Emmett was the posh neighbour.

Lunde · 15/07/2026 13:11

ICantStomachWhelks · 15/07/2026 12:48

Onslow

Show quote history

IIRC Onslow was the BIL married to Daisy

Emmet was the brother of Elizabeth, the woman next door (who dropped cups). Emmet was a musician who Hyacinth used to sing at every time they met,

Laloubaloo · 15/07/2026 12:58

ICantStomachWhelks · 15/07/2026 12:48

Onslow

Show quote history

Onslow was the brother in law.

Emmett was the slightly camp neighbour. It was where my mind immediately went to hearing the name!

Restcoz · 15/07/2026 12:55

I LOVE the name Emmett but wouldn't go with a name that your parents are unable to remember how to spell. It will surely bother you if they keep spelling their grandchild's name wrong. This is different than if strangers or acquaintances spell it incorrectly. It feels a bit hurtful and like there's a lack of care and effort when family continually spells your/your child's name incorrectly.

Original poster
NRams · 15/07/2026 12:54

Bitzee · 15/07/2026 12:47

Yes he’ll go through life having to spell it but it’s no different to any other name with multiple variant spellings. Your parents should learn though! Are they usually a bit crap at spelling?

My dad is and has always joked that he prefers maths, but DH's mum usually isn't.

OP posts:
DozyCrow · 15/07/2026 12:51

Just remind them - double M, double T and two Es. Hopefully they'll get it eventually.

Honeypizza · 15/07/2026 12:49

As long as you're not planning to go to Cornwall it's not a problem. Everyone I know would find it very amusing to hear a kid called Emmett at the beach!

For the spelling, I'm sure it's an issue with a lot of names and people just learn it. I have a very standard name but still find people add or take away consonants sometimes.

ICantStomachWhelks · 15/07/2026 12:49

Lovely name, OP, and easier to remember the spelling if both M and T are doubled.

ICantStomachWhelks · 15/07/2026 12:48

Lunde · 15/07/2026 12:45

Wasn't Emmet the neighbour in Keeping Up Appearances?

Onslow

Bitzee · 15/07/2026 12:47

Yes he’ll go through life having to spell it but it’s no different to any other name with multiple variant spellings. Your parents should learn though! Are they usually a bit crap at spelling?

Lunde · 15/07/2026 12:45

Wasn't Emmet the neighbour in Keeping Up Appearances?

RoseOliviaAu · 15/07/2026 12:37

xOlive · 15/07/2026 12:36

It’s a lovely name, but he’ll likely have to spell it out his whole life to strangers (the bank/a job etc.)
Family need to get a grip and learn to spell it, quickly.
He’ll just say “Emmett, E, double M, E, double T”.
I’ve spelt out my surname my entire life, I do it without thinking, it doesn’t negatively impact me.

My name was in the top 10 for 20 years. Still have to say ‘with a Xx’ to specify which variant. Not a big deal.

RoseOliviaAu · 15/07/2026 12:37

Yamyamabroad · 15/07/2026 12:33

Isn't that the word Cornish people use to describe tourists or incomers? Not always in a positive way.
As with Elliot, you will always have to spell it out as there are possibilities for spelling

It’s the male version of Emma. Nobody but the Cornish will think of the Cornish.

xOlive · 15/07/2026 12:36

It’s a lovely name, but he’ll likely have to spell it out his whole life to strangers (the bank/a job etc.)
Family need to get a grip and learn to spell it, quickly.
He’ll just say “Emmett, E, double M, E, double T”.
I’ve spelt out my surname my entire life, I do it without thinking, it doesn’t negatively impact me.

amylou8 · 15/07/2026 12:35

He'll spend his life saying double M double T
I'd naturally spell it with one T

RoseOliviaAu · 15/07/2026 12:35

I’d spell it like you. But that’s because that’s the spelling in Twilight

Swipe left for the next trending thread