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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Spelling of name

45 replies

BabloHoney · 29/10/2019 11:32

I have a gorgeous baby boy who’s 4 weeks old. The name we’ve chosen has two recognised spellings, we went with the less common one. I’ve already I’ve noticed people are spelling it the more common way and I’m now wondering if I’ve doomed him to a lifetime of always having to correct people how to spell his name!
Am just interested in opinions - when names have different spellings, is it always best to go with the more recognised one? Or is it not really a problem, should we just stick with the spelling that we prefer?

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MsChatterbox · 29/10/2019 13:07

My son has a name with one spelling. People still spell it wrong. Stick with what you have!

MintTeaLady · 29/10/2019 13:09

Conor is much nicer OP. Stick with it.

Breathlessness · 29/10/2019 13:09

Your way is the right way!

DariaMorgendorffer · 29/10/2019 13:10

Conor is fine! And nicer. Keep it.

namechangenumber2 · 29/10/2019 13:26

My son has a very traditional first name, which has two different spellings. We went for the less known spelling ( more common as a surname) and whilst it has been a bit of a pain, he likes it now as he has a few friends with the same name yet he's the only one with his spelling

Idolovetobebesidethesea · 29/10/2019 13:56

DD has a name which has a normal spelling, a less common but more "literary" version and a very uncommon version. We went for the most usual spelling after a lot of debate (DH and I each preferred different spellings). When she was at primary school the commonest easy it was spelt (in birthday cards etc) is not even a recognised spelling of the name!
(Think Susannah, Suzannah, Susanna and Suzaner).
I think some people just have no clue so go with your preferred spelling and just try and educate people.

autumnkate · 29/10/2019 13:59

One n is so much nicer

Zeldasmagicwand · 29/10/2019 13:59

I have an unusual first name and since marrying and changing my surname to something fairly ordinary but still seems to confuse fellow English people in particular, I tend to automatically spell out both names when someone asks my name. You just get used to it.

FWIW, I like Conor spelt either way.

Fact is, people who can be arsed will correct it when it's pointed out they've made a mistake and lazy fuckers will do as they please.

MikeUniformMike · 29/10/2019 14:03

I would say Conor was the most used spelling. It's a nice name and was very popular in the 1990s.
Some people will struggle with John and Jane so I wouldn't worry about it.

whyamidoingthis · 29/10/2019 14:06

I've never seen Connor as a first name, but I'm Irish. Conor is the spelling for first name, Connor is the surname.

Mind you, if you want to really mess with them, go for the actual Irish spelling - Conchubhar. It's pronounced differently though - Cruh-ehr.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 29/10/2019 14:06

DD1 has a very rare spelling of quite a popular name. People spell it wrong sometimes, and struggle to pronounce it when seeing it written down for the first time as it's an old Scottish spelling. But once people know, it's fine- maybe because it's very unusual.

DD2 has a name we didn't expect issues with... But a lot of people spell it the European way (common in several other parts of Europe, not just one country or region) not the British way- there are a few celebrities that weren't on our radar who spell it that way.

SummerHouse · 29/10/2019 14:10

I have a common name with an uncommon spelling. Much prefer my unusual spelling and literally don't notice or care if people spell it wrong. On email they often come back with "sorry I spelt your name wrong" and that's the first I know of it.

SerafinaPekkola · 29/10/2019 15:11

Both spellings in rapid decline in popularity in England and Wales- but Connor always the more popular spelling. Which is a bit surprising- but I suppose means that it’s being used more by English people than the Irish diaspora.

MindyStClaire · 29/10/2019 15:40

Another Irish vote here for Conor!

FizzyGreenWater · 29/10/2019 15:57

I'd stick with it, as your way is the traditional one. Prefer Conor.

If the trad way was also the popular way, I'd say the opposite.

AllStarBySmashMouth · 29/10/2019 16:02

Unless it's a totally wild spelling like Kymberleigh or something, I would say go with whatever one you like.

As said above, names like Rachel/Rachael or Gemma/Jemma will always get misspelled.

diddlediddle · 29/10/2019 17:46

Is it not obvious that if you choose a more unusual spelling that it is likely to be misspelled quite often and you'll have to correct people a lot? Of course you will and then he will for the rest of his life.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't choose it, I happen to like Conor with one n. Plenty of people have to spell their names and correct people, whether it's their first or surnames.

I'm just not sure why you're surprised!

Wolfiefan · 29/10/2019 17:50

I wouldn’t change it. It’s a “proper” spelling. It’s not like you’ve made a spelling up or used a spelling that no one will have heard of. Now if it had been Konnough.

notso · 29/10/2019 18:00

One of my DC has a less common spelling of a name. It is annoying when people get it wrong.
My name always gets ie added on to it e.g Rose to Rosie. I hate it.

Fairybobbin · 29/10/2019 22:55

We changed the spelling of my daughter's name when she was 16 weeks. Ironically we went from the more well known version to an unusual one but it was so people would get the pronoucition right. I was so scared and embarrised, but it was fine! Everyone was supportive and it was no big deal. It was 100% the right decision for us!! So don't feel like you have to live with it and make the best of it and don't be be afraid to make the change IF it feels right. Feel free to PM me

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