Should I change my DS' name spelling? WWYD?

[Aimee1983]

We have 4 year old with a lovely name. The name has two spellings and we have gone with the less usual spelling because it's more in keeping with the child's ancestral roots. Think along the lines or Mark/Marc or John/Jon etc, so nothing crazy. The issues that we're having are:

1. The name needs to be spelled out every time as people naturally would reach for a more usual version.
2. I noticed that native English speakers tend to get letters mixed up in the name when reading it for the first time, although it reads as it's written and it really short! I believe there would not be this confusion if the name was spelt in a more usual form.
3. Every time we get a card or an invite from neighbours, acquaintances, work colleagues etc. it has the usual spelling.
4. Autocorrect doesn't recognise this version, which is fine with me, but whenever someone will type his name now or when he's older (thinking mates, work colleagues etc.) the name will be unrecognised or autocorrected into something else.
5. The last name is already long and needs spelling out, so it's the first and the last name that needs spelling out.
6. The DS is now learning to write and read and said he prefers the usual spelling - must have been some older kids at school who told him about the alternative spelling.
7. Whilst the current spelling is more in keeping with the family roots, DS doesn't speak that language and is unlikely to live in that region.

I'm thinking if we are to change the spelling, then best do it sooner rather than later, before DS accumulates lots of mementos with the current spelling. WWYD?

BTW, I have a foreign name myself and changed the spelling by deed poll years ago, because it was impossible to read it out correctly in English. I still need to spell it every time and a lot of people struggle to pronounce it, so I use a short version for work and friends and tell people my name is Anna or Amy in a Starbucks type of queue. I find this a bit of a faff and want to make my son's life easier.

It’s an entirely different kettle of fish if someone says “No, I insist you use this name that isn’t actually my name.” But I’ve never come across someone who does - yet.

Really? It's quite common with Chinese people, for example.

My first name, middle name and surname all have alternative spellings, such is life

@Kiki880 , I know several Chinese people who use a different name, and it's up to them. It seems wrong but maybe the name sucks when the pronunciation isn't right.
If Pyotr or Alicja want to be known as Peter or Alicia (Aleesha), that is up to them. I'd rather be known as Peter than have my name said as PeeOtter.

Lleucu would probably use Lucy, the english equivalent. It's a shame as it's a lovely name, but it's up to her. I don't think I could put up with people mangling my name or referring to me as 'the one with the strange name'

@Oxonc3 I certain it's nothing to do with race/xenophobia. I don't think anyone can pinpoint the roots just from this name.

I think Frank/Franck is a perfect analogy for DS' name. Both spellings are acceptable and perfectly readable with the second spelling being more common (as I understand) in France. It's unusual enough for people to sometimes comment "Is it after Frank Sinatra?" - no, and it's also spelt differently. There are no weird sounds or letter combinations, short and easy name - could be from anywhere.

I said upthread that’s an entirely different matter when someone says “No I insist you use this name.” I have a neighbour with an anglicised name but it’s not for pronunciation. I should have said “I don’t personally know anyone who has changed their name to make it easier to pronounce.” Not denying it happens.

@Kiki880 , Are you saying that your neighbour is called one thing but she insists you call her something else because she prefers it?

Something like my name might be Christine but I ask you to call me Anita.

I know many who use an anglicised version of their name. Examples are
Piotr Peter
Ekateryna Katie
something Chinese Elizabeth
something Chinese Rachel
something Korean Jennifer
Nikolaj Nick
Jerzy George
Andrzej Andy

I have a sibling whose name / spelling is of the type you describe, OP. They would say change the spelling!

My DD has a name that can be spelt 4 different ways. Her name is one of the least common spellings. She has learnt from a young age to correct people if they spell her name wrong!
We also a long surname that often needs spelling.
So it can be a pain but the most important people who know DC and write the name regularly i.e family/friends / school and eventually work will get it right.

Im foreign and its just part of daily life, doesnt affect me deeply or at all tbh. Both my names are mispelled and mispronouced daily but I still pronouce it like a native from my country would.. if people can learn to spell and say Schwarzenegger and a million other names, they can learn mine too if they want to. If they dont, no problem.

Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't difficult to get right though.
Rhun ap Iorwerth might be more tricky.

Both my daughters have names that can be spelled in different ways and one could be pronounced incorrectly easily.
However, they make no bones about correcting people and neither would want to change their names. They are in their 20’s now and are used to having to spell it out.
One of my daughters regularly gets work emails with her name spelled incorrectly in the greeting (even though the spelling is in her email address and email signature). She often starts her reply to the person by pointing out their mistake! Good for her!

(NC for this obviously!)
I've changed my name from Danielle as I keep being called/addressed/written to as Daniel even with Mrs in front of it or Danielle being written on the paper
It was fine until about 4 years ago but I was getting so upset constantly being (in effect) called a man, correcting people wasn't working etc

Changed to Anna

We’re not really close friends so I’ve never asked her why, if her name is easy to pronounce. My husband, who is from the same region though not the same country, said that he thought about anglicising his (again, easy to pronounce) name when applying for jobs in his early twenties. Which is sad.

I'd keep it. I have had to spell both my names all my life, even now when I have a ridiculously easy to spell surname. People are so used to variations in spellings and names from other cultures that it's not the issue it once was.

Yes it is 😂 its only because its famous everyone knows it. An average Joe seeing that for the first time would be baffled. And i bet 90% would spell it wrong, I had to ask Alexa 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh ok. I don't think someone would look at the name and think 'How on earth do you say that?' whereas they might about the other name.

I would change it and just make all your lives easier. DS has a long unusual surname so I made sure his first name was short and easy to spell.

Hiya! Just come across your post as I’m in the same situation now. Just wondering did you change it or did you stick with original spelling?

Hey! What a blast from the past this thread! I kept the less common spelling in the end. My DS has not expressed any desire changing it. All DS’s friends know the correct spelling and use it. When the name is misspelled in the fleeting encounters situations, neither DS nor I have been bothered by it. If DS starts using a different spelling down the line, he is welcome to, but will keep the original spelling in the official documents. Hope this helps x