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Baby names

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

Original poster

How would you spell Fern/Ferne/Fearne??

41 replies

Justnapping · 19/02/2016 12:40

I'm 23 weeks pregnant and this is my girl's name but I need some help! How would you spell it? I'd prefer to go for the most "common" form of spelling but I don't know which that would be as I haven't met anyone in real life with this name... Thanks

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SparklyPenguin · 19/02/2016 12:43

However you like it! I like the classic Fern though. Fearne looks like it'd be pronounced 'Feern' to me.

DramaAlpaca · 19/02/2016 12:44

I was just coming on to say exactly what SparklyPenguin said!

KatieT12 · 19/02/2016 12:59

I like Fern, it's a nature name! However, Ferne would be my second choice. Many nature names get an e added, to make it for of a name. E.g. Skye Smile

LettuceLaughton · 19/02/2016 13:12

Yes, I'd stick with Fern too.

Meeep · 19/02/2016 13:25

Fern is lovely.
The other ones look too fussy to me.

Sophronia · 19/02/2016 13:33

I'd spell it Fern. I think Fearne only became a spelling because of Fearne Cotton.

DiscordiaVanDiemen · 19/02/2016 13:33

Fern is prettiest (the only one I know is a dog, but she's very cute!)

Original poster
Justnapping · 19/02/2016 14:02

Thanks! Fern was my original but then I got sidetracked by Fearne Cotton. Thanks for your help!!

OP posts:
PolovesTubbyCustard · 19/02/2016 15:33

Fern.

Quercus3 · 19/02/2016 19:15

Fern, lovely name :)

IsEatBedThyme · 19/02/2016 19:56

I'd spell it Fern because Fearne has FEAR in it.

MamaLazarou · 20/02/2016 10:54

Fern, definitely.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 20/02/2016 10:57

In order of preference...

Ferne. This is the only name spelling I have known friends with

Fern. The plant, but easily recognised.

Fearne. No. Too messy. Even autocorrect wasn't happy!

Sofiria · 20/02/2016 11:39

Definitely Fern. I'd want to pronounce Fearne as 'Feern.'

leoniethelioness · 20/02/2016 12:21

Fern

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 20/02/2016 12:23

I don't like the a .

So Fern or Ferne.

kaymondo · 20/02/2016 14:01

This is interesting - I would have immediately said Fearne, the other spellings don't look 'finished' to me. But then I don't know any in real life so am probably swayed by Fearne Cotton being the one I'm most familiar with.

maggiethemagpie · 20/02/2016 20:05

Lovely name. Fern.

Monica101 · 20/02/2016 20:14

Ferne or Fern, I would instinctively spell it Ferne now because of Cotton but Fern is probably the most classic choice, unfussy is usually the most timeless.

PennyHasNoSurname · 20/02/2016 20:15

Fearne but I do love Ms Cotton!

ddeemummy · 20/02/2016 20:27

Fern - nice and simple Smile

Original poster
Justnapping · 21/02/2016 09:41

Seems like there is no obvious answer! I'm going back and forth between Fern and Ferne at the moment...!

OP posts:
Chapsie · 21/02/2016 09:51

Even with a simple name like that your child will still have to explain how to spell it as they grow up.

Kate3003 · 21/02/2016 14:49

I have got a fearne and she constantly has to spell out her name.... I wish I had gone with Fern but I felt the Fearne spelling was somehow more substantial!

Jw35 · 21/02/2016 15:20

Fern