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AIBU?

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Original poster

To pick a name that I know my child will have to spell out?

61 replies

LilyXy · 19/08/2023 22:09

My name is a name that gets various spellings and I'll often be asked to clarify which one it is and it's never bothered me really. Is it bad to purposely name our child with one of those names? I don't mean make up a spelling or go for a unique one to stand out, it's a perfectly logical spelling but as the name isn't very known either, would it be unreasonable?

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 19/08/2023 22:12

I think it’s fine if all she has to say is “it’s Anne with an E” or “Katherine with a K”

LorraineInSpain · 19/08/2023 22:13

I can’t think of many names that don’t have some form of alternative spelling so think it’s fine.

The only thing is if you have a surname that needs spelling out I might think of using a first name that has less varieties e.g. Ann/Anne is easy enough, but probably wouldn’t go for Katherine/Kathryn/Katharine/Catherine/ etc

DandelionPockets · 19/08/2023 22:15

It's fine. I have a name I have to spell out very often and I don't mind one bit either.

SuperiorM · 19/08/2023 22:20

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 19/08/2023 22:12

I think it’s fine if all she has to say is “it’s Anne with an E” or “Katherine with a K”

And Ann without and e is Jane or Mary - ie one of those plain names

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 19/08/2023 22:21

I have to spell my name for people. It doesn't bother me anymore. One of my dd's will also have to spell her name. Not the end of the world.

Letsgocamping67 · 19/08/2023 22:22

My name is spelt 3 ways. Sorry but bane of my life and I hate it as well so there you go.

TheOriginalEmu · 19/08/2023 22:23

I have the usual spelling of a very common name. I still have to spell it out to people sometimes. My kids have Welsh names and have to spell them at times, they don’t seem to care and really like their names. So go for it.

Hadalifeonce · 19/08/2023 22:24

I used to have a very simple surname, which was not unusual, and still had to spell it out.

NewName122 · 19/08/2023 22:24

I always have to spell out my name. Every time. It has never been an issue for me. It's a lovely name.

wherehastheyeargone · 19/08/2023 22:29

I have an uncommon first name and often have to spell it out (more so because people mishear it so I repeat it and spell). Both my maiden name and married name are very uncommon and I always have to spell them. I work in a profession where my full name is given so I often have to spell it out. Doesn't bother me in the slightest!

Thisismeyeah · 19/08/2023 22:37

I always had to spell my 1st and surname. So annoying as they are not complicated. Think Katie with an ie or y and smith with a y or ith. Whatever you choose its always a pain. Id be more concerened with pronunciation ie is it obvious what it is or will they get called the wrong name all the time.

SausageinaBun · 19/08/2023 22:42

My DM hated having to spell her name out so much that she gave me a boring, one spelling only name and persuaded me to give my DDs easy to spell names. But she didn't get any say over our surname and that comes with multiple spellings, ours being about the third most common. My only issue with it is that I immediately spell it for people, but they often aren't expecting that and get really confused. Sometimes they find it so difficult (all 5 letters) that they have to go for date of birth or postcode to find me on their system. I probably need to work out another strategy.

AndrewGarfieldsLaptop · 19/08/2023 22:44

I have an Irish name. I hate spelling it out. Then I married a man with an long surname, so I have to spell that too.

PuppyMonkey · 19/08/2023 22:51

Another one with an Irish name. I would love to say it doesn’t bother me spelling it out or answering a myriad of questions about it but actually it does grate a bit after 56 years.

OTOH if it’s just Lisa spelled Liza not such an issue! Grin

Hadenough62 · 19/08/2023 22:52

Me and DD 8 have names that can be spelt different ways, it doesnt bother either of us

HateTheView · 19/08/2023 22:56

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 19/08/2023 22:12

I think it’s fine if all she has to say is “it’s Anne with an E” or “Katherine with a K”

Katherine is a bad example. It's with a K at the beginning a Y in the middle and no E at the end (my cousin). Or if you were my best friend growing up in London: it's not Caffrin, it's Katharine with a K at the beginning and an A in the middle like Katharine Hepburn. Then she got the piss ripped out of her for being posh. She was a bit middle class but definitely not posh; her dad was a builder. She found it easier to go by Caffy in the end.

petridishmystery · 19/08/2023 22:58

I think it’s fine. I have a first name that’s spelt slightly differently to the standard and I also have a last name that’s very specific to the area I live in so I’m used to just spelling my name out right from the start without waiting to be asking and I really can’t say it’s ever bothered me. I suppose if it’s a fifteen letter first name it might get more tiresome

Remaker · 19/08/2023 23:02

There are certain names I would steer clear of due to the ridiculous number of possible spelling options. Caitlin for example. I find it really annoying when people spell my name wrong so I would want to minimise that.

Outnumberedbywillies · 19/08/2023 23:05

Both my kids have gaelic names and will have to spell them out, but they are the most common spellings of said names. Everyone told me my eldest would hate me as it's a 9 letter name and that he would take ages to learn to write his name but he's been spelling it perfectly since he was 4 and loves it. He hates when people shorten it. Go with the name you love

Mariposista · 19/08/2023 23:52

My friend is Lindsey, and has a list in her filofax (yep she still uses one - I do too) with all the different spellings of it she has had. In her job she gets a lot of correspondence. She just laughs at it. They never seem to get it right.

EmmaPaella · 19/08/2023 23:57

I think people overthink this issue. I have had to spell both my surnames my whole life. It’s not traumatised me!

crabclaw · 20/08/2023 08:21

My son does - first and surname. Doesn't bother him

wakeuptooearly · 20/08/2023 08:57

My first name only has one spelling but I have to spell my surname every time it's needed , which is frequently as a supply teacher. Also when booking a restaurant table, talking to companies etc it's never a problem, just automatic. SuperiorM it's funny how taste differs, you see Ann, Jane and Mary as plain, to me they are simple and beautiful names!

cheezncrackers · 20/08/2023 08:59

Surely most people have to spell out their names?

Tom/Thom
Sarah/Sara
Jane/Jayne
Emily/Emilie
Robin/Robyn
Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn

Hellocatshome · 20/08/2023 09:04

There are so many names like this I dont see the problem. My name has two spellings so I have to clarify and often get asked to spell my surname even though there is only one spelling of that.

Wether a person finds this annoying or not is down to their personality which you can't predict.