Naming after someone but spelt differently?

[electricdreaming]

If you were naming your baby after someone in your family, would you spell it the same way? Eg relative is called Sean but you prefer Shaun, Kathrine but you prefer Catherine, Eleanor but you prefer Elinor? I love the name in question in its own right, but it’s the same name as a very close relative. Is it a snub to use the same name but spelt differently? Should I pick a different name? It’s my first choice but I prefer a different spelling.

If you are going to say 'named after Auntie X' then imo you have to use the same spelling otherwise you're saying their spelling isn't good enough.

otoh if you are going to say 'always liked Auntie X's name but prefer to spell with a K not a C' then you are good to go.

One is 'named after' the other is 'liking the name'.

Was just about to post exactly the same as @TeenDivided .

I don't think its a big deal, spell it how you like, it's not like the relative chose how to spell their own name anyway.
My partners grandmothers name is Emilie- and his brother named his daughter after her but spelt it Emily. The grandmothers name gets misspelt a lot, she was very pleased at the name and didn't seem to begrudge her grandaughter a different spelling.

Yep

I would just pick the same spelling to avoid implying that the way the relative spells their name isn't good enough. Some people whose names have two different spellings do get annoyed when people attempt to spell their name the wrong way. Auntie Elinor is probably tired of people assuming her name is "Eleanor".

Okay thanks for all your replies, it’s really helpful 😊 @TeenDivided i wouldn’t necessarily be announcing they were named after X, but it’s a relatively uncommon name now and I would more than likely be having a conversation with her to let her know before announcing the baby’s name. Also the name spelling debacle - I’d be using the more common spelling to avoid such issues, so I could say I’ve chosen that spelling to avoid them a lifetime of correcting people.