Should I change my baby's name?

[MonkeySeaMonkeyDo]

My daughter's name is Annabel. She was born in June, and everyone (except grandparents) is still spelling her name incorrectly. As an example, I'll receive messages asking if they may come round to see 'Annabelle'. I've gently and subtly corrected before, but it's almost as if they forget and then can't remember which spelling it is (because there are so many variants). It is mostly insignificant how her name is spelt in a message to me, but it really bothers me when someone's name is misspelt. It's a pet peeve of mine. My husband has suggested changing her name. I love the name and do not want to change it to an entirely different name but feel like I have no choice if I ever want to see her name written properly. I just think about how this will become a bigger issue once she's at school and meeting loads of different people.

I am an Annabel and it’s indeed a pain how often my name gets misspelled - Annabell, Anabel, Anabelle etc. I guess you get used to it. But I’d prefercto have a name with a single spelling like Emma!

I have a 17 year old Isabel. Over the years, family, friends and school have spelt it Isobel, isabelle isabell... she prefers to be called Izzy, some family spell it Issy which winds her up. I have another daughter with an Irish name, yep, people still spell that wrong after 16 years. I have a very common name, with one very popular spelling and 1 slightly less so... you can guess which one mine is, still spelt wrong! 😂 point being, my mum never considered changing my name or spelling and I haven't with my kids. If you love the name as it is, keep it... its worth it

Misspellings of my name only became a real issue when we started to use email. You’d think people would know the difference between “bear” and “bare”. 🙄

Spellcheck takes a while to learn the correct spelling. I always spelt my DIL's name correctly into a text but it took months for the phone to not change the spelling.
When I sent a message quickly the incorrect spelling annoyingly was sent.

People will take a short while to learn the lovely name of your DD.

This, I've never met an Annabelle

My name is spelt 3 different ways. It’s not a big deal. I answer to all 3. I’m in my 60’s. Keep the name if you like it.

Maybe think about why it matters so much? I agree it’s annoying-but it’s not as if they are calling her Jemima! (I choose Jemima because my ds’s girlfriend is Jemima, known as Jem, and I took an embarrassingly long time to remember to spell it Jem, not Gem)

As a teacher, I’m seeing there has been a shift from Annabel to Annabelle being the more common spelling over the last 10-15 years. I think it’s the popularity of Isabella/Isabelle that has driven it as a common spelling pattern.

Spelt either way, it’s an absolutely beautiful name. I wouldn’t change it.

We get this all the time with our kid...people always spell it the Italian and feminine way. I won't be changing the name...it's just a tad annoying but I don't let it get to me.

Also, my daughter is Sophie but often gets spelled Sofie. You'd think that would be an easy one!

Could you not use a shortening- Annie/Belle/Bella while shes little?

Why?
They chose the name Annabel.

Belle or Bella will just convince the Annabelle-spellers they're right, and why should OP use a different name to the one they've chosen?

People misspell all three of my children's names, and I would say they are all the "standard" spellings of the names, the alternative misspellings I've seen wouldn't even have occured to me! Even their grandparents still regularly spell the names wrong and my kids are 14, 12 and 9! I think if you change the name to something you think people won't misspell, you will find they still do!

i didnt put two and two together and comprehend that those names could be seen as different

@Brummiecurlz173 , not sure I understand your post but
calling her Bel would make me think Annabel, Isabel or Belinda (or Beryl!)
Belle would make me think Annabelle or Isabelle.
Bella would make me think Isabella or Arabella

Honestly this can happen with so many names. You could change it to Lucy and get Lucie, or Catherine and get Kathryn. My son's name gets misspelt and it's not an unusual name. My partner (son's dad) actually spelt the name wrong on a birthday card to me from son when he was a 3 week old 🤦‍♀️ (he blames sleep deprivation!) Annabel is great (and is the spelling I'd assume unless told otherwise), don't change it!

My kids names can only be spelt one way, but one can be said two ways and that drives me a bit up the wall.

But it doesn't feel right to change their name, it's theirs now and you liked it the best.

I'd just leave it! I have a name with 2 common spellings and it gets misspelt a lot. It doesn't bother me if it's someone who doesn't know me well but it irritates me if I've literally spoken to them on Messenger or something where surely they can see the correct spelling and they reply with the wrong spelling, I find that ignorant. Same with when I've filled in forms correctly only to have someone input it wrong at their end and me have to get it correctly.

It's annoying but reckon there's multiple spellings of most names. Just make a point of using the name a lot yourself and perhaps some personalised items so they get used to seeing the correct spelling!

It's been two months. I wouldn't change her entire name because it's taking friends a while to remember

Any name can be misspelled though. I have a (boy) Jamie, there is one relative and one friend who always spell it Jaime for some reason. I just shrug.

That's you though and some people mind.
I am used to it but I don't like it.

Mine is a typo usually - two vowels next to each other (e.g. Louise typed as Loiuse) but it looks like they don't care enough to get it right.

It depends too on who gets it wrong.

This will probably happen at school, none of the Annabel's Isobels etc go by anything but Bella at ours. Sometimes the parents use the full version, but the kids never do.

My DD has a very unusual name that is frequently misspelt. I would never have let that push me into changing it. I picked her name because I think it is beautiful.

People eventually get the spelling correct and the school never ever got it wrong.

Annabelle is the most popular spelling in England and Wales, pronounced exactly like Annabel, not the French way.
Annabel is the 337th most popular name, Annabelle is 146th.

I agree with you the 'le' is superfluous and should indicate the French pronunciation, and Annabel is much the nicer spelling- but sadly that is not the current trend.

But OP, I wouldn't change it, lots of names have the issue you mention, even names like Elizabeth and Amy. You've picked the best spelling!