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Baby names

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

How would you Spell...?

79 replies

Winchking · 27/08/2019 17:50

Hi all,
We've just had a baby boy, and have decided on a name, but can't decide how to spell it... the first way appears to be by far the most common way of spelling it, but I prefer the look of the second way and it sounds different somehow in my head, even though when I say them out loud they sound the same! I've no particular wish for the name to be 'unusual' for the sake of it. Which spelling do you prefer?
FINLEY
or
FINLAY

Ta!

OP posts:
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virginpinkmartini · 27/08/2019 17:52

Finley. When I see it spelt 'Finlay' I imagine it being said in a really chavvy way.

Rivkka · 27/08/2019 17:53

Finley

Kam610 · 27/08/2019 17:54

I prefer Finlay, but I usually see it spelled Findlay. Have never seen it spelled without a D. It's a lovely name though.

fergusthefrog · 27/08/2019 17:54

Finley

hairyturkey · 27/08/2019 17:55

Finley. Lovely name

Champagne791 · 27/08/2019 17:55

Fin - lee
Fin - lay

Which way do you want the name pronounced?

Heratnumber7 · 27/08/2019 17:58

Finley.

MacAndDennisMoveToTheSuburbs · 27/08/2019 17:59

Might depend on where you are. Here in Scotland Finlay is the most common spelling however I think it’s the other way round in England.

Stationeryqueen · 27/08/2019 17:59

I would go for Finley.

If I saw Finlay, I would pronounce is Fin-Lay, with more emphasis on the 'L' sound. In my accent Finley would be much softer with a longer 'ee' sound at the end.

SoupDragon · 27/08/2019 18:02

Finlay. Finley looks completely wrong to me.

Ellie586 · 27/08/2019 18:05

Finlay

Sexnotgender · 27/08/2019 18:05

Finlay

DontCallMeShitley · 27/08/2019 18:16

Spelled Finlay but pronounced Finley is the problem. It does look better as Finlay but it will be pronounced as it looks.

How do you want it to be pronounced? I think that is your answer.

Peachbubble · 27/08/2019 18:17

Finley

Fuiseog · 27/08/2019 18:19

For some totally illogical reason, I see Finlay as more a girl's name and Finley as more a boy's name. No idea why.

20viona · 27/08/2019 18:23

Finley

AdelaideK · 27/08/2019 18:25

Finley is much nicer.

Sparklysunflower · 27/08/2019 18:27

Surely Finley = Fin-ley and Finlay = Fin-lay

I've never heard it pronounced as Fin lay Confused

june2007 · 27/08/2019 18:27

Finlay with a lay sound rathe then lee sound.

Knittedfairies · 27/08/2019 18:30

I'd spell it Findley. Just me then...

Windydaysuponus · 27/08/2019 18:32

I have a Fynn.

OtraCosaMariposa · 27/08/2019 18:34

I'm Scottish.

Finlay is by far the more common spelling here. And either way, Finlay and Finley would be pronounced the same way.

DerbyRacer · 27/08/2019 18:35

Finlay.

coconutcurls · 27/08/2019 18:48

Most I've met (I'm a teacher/ex-nursery nurse so I've met lots!) have been Finlay but still pronounced with the 'ee' sound. Maybe it's regional. I'm in the SE.

flossiefloo · 27/08/2019 18:58

Finley