Holly or Hollie?

[dadtobe22]

My wife and I are due a baby girl later this year. We'd settled on the name Holly.

However, my wife sprung a surprise on me Tuesday night be saying she wanted to spell the name Hollie. I don't feel this is the traditional spelling and I worry that they would spend their life correcting people. It is also a different spelling to holly, the plant, which the name is obviously derived from!

It's a shame I can't do a poll but what do people think. It would be helpful to get a sense check.

Holly or Hollie?

Wow, I think we’re all 100% in agreement. First time ever?

It’s a “No” to Hollie

Teacher here, I have taught several of both spellings and would consider both quite normal. We often see totally made up spellings of names so I wouldn't worry too much!

I think it looks nicer written down than Holly, but that is NOT a good enough reason to saddle a child with a name they need to spell out.

Especially as other people think it looks nicer written as Holly.

Holly

Holly.
Love it BTW.

Holly

Holly

I know a Hollye, just to mix it up!

Although I'd pick Holly.

There's not a huge difference tbh. It's a bit like Brown/Browne people will get the jist.

Holly

Holly

I vote holly

Holly, gorgeous name I know a lovely little Holly.

Thanks everyone for your comments. It's reaffirmed to me that Holly is the best choice.

Unfortunately this has created quite a big row in what should be a happy time.

It's just not something I feel able to compromise on as I don't want to lumber my daughter with a name she will forever be having to spell out and correct.

Well compromise is key. Maybe your wife has some good reasons for preferring Hollie

<feels self veering towards Hollie spelling>

Will your daughter have your surname? If she will I'd be more likely to agree to giving way on this spelling. I can't see that saying 'Hollie with an 'ie' would be too much of a millstone.

Holly. So much nicer.

Don't like Hollie at all. Frilly, frou frou and just .. no.

Holly, for all the reasons already mentioned.

I feel the same about Lily vs Lilly, Lillie etc.

Glad to see you have decided your prefer Holly. Unusual spellings of a name is a low level form of unkindness to a child.

The only reason she's given is that her (shortened) name ends in ie. And she wants the baby to be the same as her. However, an ie ending is more appropriate and widely used for her name than Holly.

Hollie.

‘Holly’ spelling associated with December / Christmas babies ime.

She will have my surname as does my wife.

I take your point and there is so much in our relationship I am happy to compromise on but I just can't bring myself to spell Holly with an I and and E. It just looks wrong to me.

I would honestly rather we find a different name which I have suggested very gently.

Fair enough. If your daughter isn't due for another few months you still have plenty of time to talk it over or find a new name.

I agree with you. I personally couldn’t compromise on a spelling. I’d rather choose a different name, which would be such a shame because Holly is such a lovely name.