If you're naming baby after someone can you change the spelling?

[AudreyII]

Obviously you can but does that defeat the point of being named after someone? I can't decide! The original name is a unusual spelling of a common name, but I am not keen on unusual spellings of common names as I think it's annoying to always have to correct people.

When I had dd1 I named her after my sister, but used the Irish version of her name. In my mind she was named for her aunt even if the names sound different. If you prefer the more popular spelling then I would go with that. HTH.

I agree about silly spellings - hate them (unless it is the original correct spelling of a gaelic name for example). Have what you prefer and use the 'ease of use' as a perfectly sound reason.

Thakns both. Tiggy - the original spelling is authentic, just not the 'default' spelling here in the UK (not even the second common spelling either)

oh and the name is v popular at the moment, so in some ways I'd like to keep the original spelling but the popularity of the name will surely just lead to people 'default' spelling it anyway. But then again changing the spelling might look too much like we're trying to change the name to deliberately make it different to the popular version...oh I'm so confused!! It's all so emotive this naming business!

My ds is Iain, named after his grandfather who was Ian.
I don't think it does defeat the point!