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Original poster

Spelling dilemma

85 replies

MissMoodyMoo · 27/04/2023 21:03

So we have agreed we like the name Fern, it fits well with our 1st child's name and our last name. However My husband prefers the spelling Fearne. I just don't like the A it makes no sense. So I've said we could compromise and do the Ferne spelling. I prefer Fern but could live with the E. What are people's opinions on this
Fern
Ferne
Fearne

I've told him the more we talk about the bloody spelling it will put me off the name all together lol

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Retrievemysanity · 27/04/2023 21:34

Fern is lovely for a first name. The other spellings are more like surnames to me.

ourflagmeansdeath · 27/04/2023 21:35

I automatically prefer Fern! It's much nicer imo, Fearne is bizarre to me seems like a surname. Fern is the most common spelling where I am at least, most people would spell it like that.

Ferne isn't good either though. Fern for definite for me, it's lovely.

cocksstrideintheevening · 27/04/2023 21:36

Fearn

Theoldwoman · 27/04/2023 21:45

Definitely Fern.

PickledScrump · 27/04/2023 21:59

My initial spelling would be Fearne, that’s the one I’ve seen most commonly as a name. But Fern would be second. Not Ferne though.

I love the name. We considered it but one syllable names don’t work well with our surname

drpet49 · 27/04/2023 22:03

FoggyDay58 · 27/04/2023 21:09

Personally I wouldn't choose any name that has a few different commonly accepted spellings. Your child will have to spell it for the whole of their life. Pick another name.

This

DramaAlpaca · 27/04/2023 22:06

Fern. It's simple, pretty and doesn't need messing with.

Fearne is fussy with unnecessary letters and Ferne doesn't look right.

dwightschrutebeets · 27/04/2023 22:08

I prefer Fern

SirVixofVixHall · 27/04/2023 22:13

Fern.
Fearne is meaningless .

NannyR · 27/04/2023 22:24

I like Fern like the plant best. The Yorkshire pronunciation comment is bizarre - I live in Yorkshire and have family and friends in different areas of the county and have never heard phone pronounced like fearne. I wouldn't let that put you off an otherwise lovely name.

Newmum777777 · 27/04/2023 22:26

Fern 100% don’t know why anyone would consider anything else. I adore it.

Treasureboxkey · 27/04/2023 22:31

RogerTheTodger · 27/04/2023 21:16

You couldn't use it in Yorkshire, as people there talk about being on the Fearne (when they mean 'phone'). It might have unwanted connotations.

I'd have a complete re-think.

I don't think that I've heard anyone in Yorkshire say phone with an er sound in it. It's a long hard oa here.
'I'm just on't foan.'

Fern has a lovely simple elegance to it. I agree with you about the random a in the other spelling.
My name has an odd letter that could/could not be in there and I hate having to specify every time. Fearne would be worse because it's less common and more complicated.

Velvetbee · 27/04/2023 22:32

Fern. Beautiful name.

RenoDakota · 27/04/2023 22:37

Re the Yorkshire thing, I think the poster probably meant East Yorkshire / Hull. Think Lucy Beaumont.

Buebananas · 27/04/2023 23:05

Fern

Fearne sounds like Fear with an n

fairycupcakes · 27/04/2023 23:06

Fern, hands down. Easy to pronounce and very pretty. I’ve known 2 Fern’s and both spell it this way, as in the plant 🌱

Ferne looks wrong and Fearne has “fear” in it which weirdly really sticks out to me and it’s probably likely to be mispronounced.

Original poster
MissMoodyMoo · 27/04/2023 23:08

The Yorkshire comment doesn't really apply to us. We are in Scotland so it's pronounced with more of a sharp R than I imagine it would be with an English accent

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 27/04/2023 23:08

I don't really like it for a person, but if you are going to use it, I would spell it like the plant (which is presumably where it comes from?)

Fearne just seems like a lot of extra, unnecessary letters to me.

I agree with the pp who said it is a right pain to have a name that people spell in different ways.

DrMeredithGrey2023 · 27/04/2023 23:09

Ferne is a surname.

I've never, in all my years experience with the name, had anyone struggle with the pronunciation of Fearne.

GeraltsBathtub · 27/04/2023 23:10

Definitely Fern. The simplest and most intuitive (in this case, due to being the same as the plant) option is usually the best spelling for a name.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 27/04/2023 23:12

Fern.
Ferne is odd, and I agree that Fearne seems like a surname.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 27/04/2023 23:12

Fern

FatGirlSwim · 28/04/2023 00:19

RenoDakota · 27/04/2023 22:37

Re the Yorkshire thing, I think the poster probably meant East Yorkshire / Hull. Think Lucy Beaumont.

I went to uni with someone with this accent. Phone would sound like Fern.
she pronounced coke like Kirk.

FatGirlSwim · 28/04/2023 00:21

MissMoodyMoo · 27/04/2023 23:08

The Yorkshire comment doesn't really apply to us. We are in Scotland so it's pronounced with more of a sharp R than I imagine it would be with an English accent

Would it become ferrun? Like Pearl becomes peril? Would that bother you?

Fern is the nicer spelling, stick to your guns!

TriceratopsRocks · 28/04/2023 00:36

I had totally forgotten about Fearne Cotton, and wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it if I saw it written down. I would think Fear-nee or something! I do love Fern though.