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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If you add random extra letters into a name, don't be pissy when people mispronounce it!

308 replies

BoobsOnTheMoon · 27/05/2025 20:08

I met someone recently who has a young child with a name that is actually quite a old/traditional English name, rare but not unheard of. Almost the perfect sweet spot, you'd think.

When I heard the name I immediately said oh how beautiful, I love that name. Which then set the mum off on a big rant about how nobody can ever pronounce it. Strange, I thought, it's not that unusual and tbh it's pretty phonetic when written down.

Except I found out later via FB that the mum has added two letters to the name (a consonant and a vowel), in two different places, that make it look like you pronounce it completely differently to the way she wants it pronounced. It's not an alternative spelling (which the name does have a couple of, both of which are completely obvious how to pronounce). If you were to see it written down you'd add an extra syllable when reading it out! And probably mispronounce the one of the consonants because it's had a random other consonant put next to it for...no reason? She must just like how it looks Hmm

I can't say what the name is because this child is literally the only person in the world with the name spelled that way, I've googled it and got the total of 2 results (both of which refer to this child, via their hobby). The closest examples I can come up with would be calling a baby Phetier when you want it pronounced Peter, or Elixzabieth but wanting it pronounced Elizabeth, or Dharrien and expecting everyone to know you say it Darren.

Anyway I don't particularly care how people spell names but to then be huffy that it gets mispronounced is just silly, right?

OP posts:
StormGazing · 25/04/2026 09:11

Can you tell us the name but the traditional spelling?

Thehop · 25/04/2026 09:17

YANBU this mother is a Wally

LakieLady · 25/04/2026 09:20

Cappuccinosisters · 28/05/2025 18:32

Yes, the singer/songwriter Alicia Keys pronounces her name Aleesha.

I wonder if the more common pronounciation has changed over the years?

There were 2 Alicias at my secondary school, both pronounced Aleesha. This was in the late 60s, and it's only in the last 10-20 years that I've heard the name pronounced Alissia.

LadyFlumpalot · 25/04/2026 09:41

Jennieghpher?

InterestedDad37 · 25/04/2026 09:48

Prymmerhowze (Primrose)

maudelovesharold · 25/04/2026 12:40

Gilladdis?
Payshence?

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 25/04/2026 14:04

Thehop · 25/04/2026 09:17

YANBU this mother is a Wally

Don't be ridiculous. What she actually is is a Whaghllie!

topcat2014 · 25/04/2026 14:09

We need to train registrars to forbid this feral parenting crap.

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