To get annoyed when parents spell their kids name wrong

[HelloSteve]

...and then they get annoyed when people constantly spell their names "wrong" (aka the right way)? Or buy personalised items with their names spelt their way?

Not really a big deal I know, but I what do you expect when you give your child a name spelled in a way to be yoo-niq?

Over the past couple of weeks I've heard of a Emma-Leigh, a Sophy and a Jordyn. I can't help thinking 'poor kids they're going to have to go through their whole lives having to correct people'. It seems people don't think about that though.

I know a woman who has two grown up daughters called Jemma (I assume they meant for that to be Gemma) and a Hollie (again, I assume Holly) and she always gets annoyed when people don't ask and just assume they're spelt Gemma and Holly, but I don't know why. She should have expected that/be used to that now? I know she would constantly get irritated when the kids were at school and received Christmas cards/party invites with their names spelt wrong but honestly I have little sympathy. What was she expecting when she spelt her kids names wrong?

Your thoughts?

Spork your name is spelt incorrectly in this country. Sorry no sympathy. When in Rome...

I know a 28 year old Hollie.

I have an Aeryn.

Its the american spelling of Erin and is a legitimate spelling.

She loves it. There is also Erin, Eryn as well as her spelling Aeryn

Jersey perhaps you could explain why you didn't just choose Erin to make it simpler?

My name is Lara, I get very hacked off when people call me Laura, as that is a completely different name. The OP probably thinks my parents spelt my name wrong...

I wonder if Harleaux is meant to be pronounced Arlo. If it was a French word, that's how it would be pronounced, I think.

I'm thinking Harleaux Town myself...

BTW, I know a Dene who is probably about 50 and a doctor. Nothing new under the sun...

Seriously Jersey?? I have never seen an Aeryn in the states. I grew up with a ton of Erin's maybe saw one Eryn.. Never and Aeryn though. Not that I don't believe you mind, it's just not one I've seen personally.

Speaking as someone with a very traditional and popular name which has at least 4 different and equally valid spellings, this is hardly new. I bet the DC don't get it wrong - at 6, DD corrected my spelling of Molly to Mollie when we were doing party invitations.

According to [[http://www.babynames.com/name/Aeryn]] site Aeryn is the American spelling of Erin.

Let's try that again - this site says it's the American spelling of Erin.

There's nothing anyone can do about those who can't/won't spell, though. I have a first name which as far as I know is only ever spelled one way. There are lots and lots of short versions but only one spelling for the main name. Thinking about it, this is pretty rare for a classic girls' name! Anyway, my sister-in-law has several times written it wrong - she changes an a to an e. Odd, but I see no point in making a fuss about it.

Mollie as well? Whatever next.

Please not a Pollie.

I get more annoyed when I see other language names changed to be easier. The Síobhain/ Shivonne being a classic.

If you like the name use it as it is.

I don't mean Hollie vs Holly. They are just different versions of spelling .I mean taking a name and totally making the spelling up, like a friend of a friend who called her baby Aaron, spelling it Aaaron, yeap 3 As

Why??

And yes it is their choice, fine but the don't get pissy when people can't read your mind.

My name is a slightly uncommon spelling of a name, just that it ends in 'y' rather than 'ey' but it's still a correct spelling, just not that well known, I remember a supply teacher in promary school telling me off once for spelling my name 'wrong'

With so many ancient and venerable variants around, it is a cultural minefield, but there are rewards to successful navigation. I once asked someone on the phone whether he was a "Swithun" spelt with a "un" or "Swithin" with an "in". He had been extremely cold and formal with me up until then, but at that, he completely melted.

Taking care to get non-standard names right can also cut through to make a strong connection, as it will, rightly, be taken as an effort of respect.

However, I can't help thinking that parents who employ really non-standard spellings (e.g. names mentioned on this thread: "Sharlot", "KC", "Klowy", "Teighla", etc.), make it difficult for people to make a connection with their children, by creating that extra obstacle, and it really is a pretty arrogant thing to do.

I have an unusual First name spelt an unusual way. What really irritates me is when people feel that they have to tell me that I have spelt my name incorrectly

I always remember listening to someone proudly announcing that his daughter's name was "spelt the new way - Pheebee".

No, that would be the WRONG way.

I get irrationally annoyed by Lilly rather than the correct (imo) Lily

My names kellie instead of kelly. I can't even begin to explain how much it aggravates me.

oh Vintage you just hit on the thing that makes me itch Generally I don't really care if people want to give their kids unique daft variants on a name but I really dislike Neve rather than Niamh and other wrong spelling of traditional names!

I think this is quite a tricky one. There are so many completely legitimate alternative spellings and so many names that are spelled differently in different languages and cultures that I almost think we have to accept any alternative spelling a parent has chosen as fine because otherwise, where do you draw a line?

At some point in history somebody must have decided to be 'edgy and different' by choosing the name Rebecca or Kathryn. So who is to say that Feebee and Jaxon won't be totally mainstream alternatives in 50 years time?

At the moment there is a huge difference between the following kinds of groups:

Already seen as a norm:
Jemma, Hollie, Steven, Kathryn, Marc, Rebekah, Jillian, Stacy, Alys etc

Cultural differences:
Wiktoria, Kristina, Danyal, Erich, Aleksandra, Ashley, Aimee etc

Currently not accepted as a norm:
Abigayle, Feebee, Lexxii, Kaylee, Hailie, Harvie etc

But who is to say that group 3 won't become more normal?
There are probably already some grey areas and errors even just in my egs (such as Kaylee being a common US variant and therefore arguably as valid as Ashley)

It can go the other way around too, a conventional spelling with an unconventional pronunciation. I went to school with a girl called Karen whose parents insisted it be pronounced "car-wren", everybody used to get it wrong, much to her/their annoyance.

Yes, the worst offender I've come across was a couple who named their daughter Imagine and were surprised when we called her Imagine instead of Imogen.

I don't think YABU OP.

Willm Shakp
William Shaksper
Wm Shakspe
William Shakspere
Willm Shakspere
William Shakspeare
William Shakespeare

At least people who do creative name spelling are in good company.