Name spelling rules

[AngSam]

I have a question. Are there any rules on spelling and pronouncing names? How about correcting people on how to spell and pronounce names, would you bother?
Example, girl named Joan (general pronouncing sounds like John) but her is Jo An?
Or Laura not Lora but LAUra
Your thoughts?

Lora and Laura do Subs exactly the same to me! As do Rooth and Rewth!

I hate pretentious deviant spellings!

Like Leah as Leigha
Andrea with emphasis at the end
Gillian pr like the gills of a fish
Ciara/Keira

Lol I would pronounce Rooth and Rewth the same

Lora would rhyme with Dora,
Laura doesn't.

The Rewth way of saying it is only in some parts of Wales, I think.
The u in one sounds like the oo in coot, the u in the other sounds like the u in cute. If you say cute and coot exactly the same, then I can't help you.

FWIW, my pronunciation is nearly RP.

Lora would be Low-ra
Laura is Law-ra.

So how do you say Lori? Because I say that like lorry

I think the problem is caused by people who attend the birth registrar and on being asked the name they say it then they are asked how to spell it. Some people can't spell properly, hence the 'incorrect' names.

I think it would be better to have a name book that people choose from so at least their child didn't have a lifetime of corrections ahead of them when people pronounce their incorrectly spelt name correctly

Mispelt names actually make my teeth itch.

Lori is a short version of Gloria. Like Glory without the G. Rhymes with Rory
Pretty name.

I think it would be better to have a name book that people choose from so at least their child didn't have a lifetime of corrections ahead of them when people pronounce their incorrectly spelt name correctly

What if the name they want is foreign and not in the book ?

What if they want an alternate spelling that is uncommon and not in the book ?

While "unique" spelling sets my teeth on edge I also hate the thought of an arrogant registrar telling me how my child's name should be written.

It's the parent's duty and responsibility to name their child, for better or worse. It is not the state's place to interfere unless the child's best interests are at stake.

That said I agree that standard spelling exists for a reason and it is not a good idea to name your child Joan if you want people to say Jo-Ann.

If someone says their name is Kevin, I will expect it to be spelt Kevin. I'm not going to assume it might be Kaivhinn or Kayveen.

PS - that said it's not unreasonable to have a reference book in the registrar office where people can look up most common spellings for the name they like. So long as it is understood by all that it is a reference, not an obligation !

I agree with your aunt but I'm a bit pedantic about names & their spellings.

There was a girl in DS's nursery called Aoife pronounced Evie - used to drive me nuts probably more so because it was the girls name we'd chosen if DS had been a girl.

If you use a name and want a non culturally expected pronunciation (eh Laura and you want the more Germanic like pow-ra) then you do need to accept you’ll need to constantly ‘correct’ people. Mon s friends and family should be able to get it right but I’ve never understood people who get enraged when casual acquaintance may get it wrong or even someone who’s never met them.

What if the name they want is foreign and not in the book ?

Then the parents would have to prove it exists in their language.

What if they want an alternate spelling that is uncommon and not in the book ?

Then it wouldn't be allowed and would put a stop to this farcical way of naming children silly made up or misspelled names

Abegaile, Racheal Jorga, Grayce and Ryhlee have to be some of the worst examples I can think of.

I have taught a Jo-Ann. The hyphen made it easier. PP I have also taught a Sian pronounced Cyan.

Ciara/Keira

What's wrong with these?

I also know a Sian pronounced Cyan but she’s Australian.

Cultural and language spellings can be different, some names are unisex.

I think it's also a political correctness, let people be whatever they wish to be. Like in UK people don't bother to question spellings or pronunciations, because there are too many. They just let it go 🤷‍♀️

Book of baby names in registration office is a good idea 👍

Laura and Dora rhyme in my accent.

My aunt Joan always said her name as JoAnn, but she was from South Wales and I think it was her accent too.

@AndNoneForGretchenWieners that's how the language is evolving cause looks like there is no right or wrong 😅 although like Emmalie - Emily is not the same or Joan and Joann, Joanne is not the same, people want to make it sound the same. I don't know if it does make sense?! 🙂

@Crinklesmile I met an Emily who’s parents decided to spell it M-Ellie 😩

There are some general pronunciation rules in English that apply to different letter combinations. OA is pronounced Oh not O-A. So Joan is 'jone' not Joanne. You can't just change pronunciation of letter combinations and expect people not to pronounce names wrong.

I can't even imagine how to say Laura so it doesn't rhyme with Dora. Off to Google different pronunciations.

Disfordarkchocolate I say Law-ra & Dough-ra so completely different sounds

I agree with those pronunciations whiskeysourpuss

Dough-ra?? Then how the hell does it rhyme with "The Explorer?"

It doesnt rhyme completely but is close. How are you sounding the Dough bit? Its dough as in bread dough or doe as in a female deer