To change spelling of DDs name...

[JoMaloneCandles]

Apologies for posting on parenting, thought there could be more relevant experience here.

DD is 10 and she has a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning. At the time we chose the longer spelled version but over time we have started using the shorter form (same pronunciation both ways).

My other children have names with less letters and she has asked why hers is so long.

Any way of changing this legally without major implications to her in future?

Below is an example, this is not her name but I couldn't think of anything else to share with you:

Raechelle - Rachel

I'd assume it could only officially be changed via deed poll. I changed my name when I married, so I'd think adding the previous names on forms, and possibly providing a copy of the deed poll form would be the only PITA. School, Dr's, dentists, NI, NHS details are all I can think of for a child, but once don't, shouldn't be a major issue.
www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

At the time we chose the longer spelled version but over time we have started using the shorter form (same pronunciation both ways).
It's hard to picture what you mean, about using the shorter form. Does that mean you've been writing it in the shorter version, like 'Merry Christmas from JoMaloneCandles, DaveMaloneCandles, Lucy, James and Rachel' instead of 'from Lucy, James and Raechelle'?

It's a hard one to call because in a few years she might like the longer spelling as it means she won't be one of a thousand Rachels. Could she use the shorter spelling informally but keep the longer one for official stuff?

My DS has a longer, formal name and then a shorter version that we've always called him (like Robert/Robbie, but more usual to hear the shorter version as a name for an adult, I realise there was Robbie Coltrane of course!). He used the longer version at school and uni, and I think he prefers it. But I'm talking about two different names rather than two different spellings.

I'd leave it and let her change it as an adult if she wants to.

You can carry on using the shorter version if she prefers it for now.

Is the version she has a legitimate, normal spelling or were you being creative?

If her original name was an attempt to be unique or creative with spelling then I would 100% change it back towards the better known version.

I'm ashamed to admit we were trying to be creative. She was our first and the shorter version just seemed to short but we resorted to it anyways.

But Rachel vs Raechelle is a good example but the extra letters seem unnecessary right?

Would need to be deed poll if you wanted to change it

One of my nieces (or my brother) changed her name a couple of years ago, so she was 11. The change was (as an example) from Holly to Hollie but was very important to them.

One of my daughters didn't like the way her name was spelled (thought it was a male version, wasn't). When she was about 10 we just changed it, told school, no problems. Still spells it her way, no problems with exams, marriage, career.

Yes I would get it changed. Sounds like you tried to tip her name into the chav 'younique' category. I can't imagine it's a huge ordeal to get it changed so I'd just do it for her now.

Let her choose.

You had the first go and feel you made a mistake, don't make another thinking it will stop you feeling bad about it. It's her name, she's the one that will have to live with it (or not). Don't make this about you. You could try asking her what she feels about it.

If her name was Loocee and now you're writing it as Lucy anyway, then you'd might as well change it. It will need to be by deedpoll.

I changed the spelling of my name and so did my sister. You can spell your name however you like but I have to revert to the original spelling for official documents and absolutely have to remember to use the original spelling when I book air tickets so it matches my passport.

So you butchered a perfectly reasonably spelled name and added a few extra letters in? Yes I'd change it poor kid

Sorry OP, I so want to know what the name and original spelling is!

Look, you were trying to be creative. That's where the reddit forum tragedeigh comes from. Question is, objectively, if you saw her name now would you think it's just an alternative spelling or would you think beautiful name but wtf were they thinking with the spelling? If the latter change it.

Haha me too.

I guess I’m trying to understand why you used the shorter version ever? Is it really that much shorter? surely you’d always just write the way you wanted and when you speak it sounds the same anyway?

Slightly off-topic, but this song has the spelling 'Raechel' in its title - I'd never come across that spelling until hearing it. m.youtube.com/watch?v=788ag7mGBKM

It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

Is the longer version an established spelling of the name (eg. Isabelle instead of Isobel) or one you’ve made up?

This is the important question, I think.

In that case I'd probably change it so she can have the standard spelling on her passport/exam certificates etc. before she's 18.

While I agree if you could turn back the clock, "Rachel" would have been the better choice, she's had ten years of being "Raechelle" and, aesthetic merits aside, it's been her name, on all her paperwork and birthday cards, school reports, written by her on her artwork, belongings etc. A lot of pre-teens and teens feel this way about their names, and experiment with different spellings and nicknames, or talk about changing it altogether. It's one thing for her to think "Rachel is nicer" - it's another to actually go through the upheaval of legally changing her name, which will never fully leave her as her birth certificate won't change.

If you gave her a youneek spelling of a normal name and are now using the normal spelling then yes I would get it changed legally so it says Rachel and not Raechelle on her exam certificates and so on.

This made me laugh.

It's not an English name..