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

Not as ridiculous as this hah but thank you!

It's not an English name, not butchered either.

Was just a longer form which yes does have extra letters.

To make things easier her name is Aaliyah but we now prefer Aliya.

Will definitely ask her and she how she feels, just wanted to understand the process first.

If it’s something like Isabelle to Isabel then it really makes no difference and I’d leave it.

If you’ve gone all Tragadeigh and invented something then do her a favour and change it.

Cross post. It’s a beautiful name and both spellings are pretty. Personally I prefer the longer spelling.

Yes thought I'd make it easier by sharing.

Dds name is Aaliyah (which is an acceptable form) but we also had the option of Aliya.

Both are accepted in terms of spelling but at the time we liked the longer version and as you can see has the extra letters. Pronounced the same.

I do think wtf when I spell her name to the dentists/doctors haha

Not made up, an established spelling.

Didn't think of it this way, food for thought, thank you!

We don't use the shorter version on any important paperwork. More if we get things personalised, birthday cards etc, more from extended family however.

I think the original name is lovely and it is a genuine spelling, so I'd ask her if she wants to change it, but honestly, I'd just dig in and say I preferred that spelling when you were young. Not sure this warrants changing.

See now that you’ve mentioned the actual name I think leave it - the longer version is how pretty much everyone assumes that name is spelt anyway.

Perfectly normal spelling - in fact I've known several Aaliyahs and no Aliyas at all. Not an overly long name either, Elizabeth is 2 letters longer and common for example.

Thank you.

I think I just feel silly when I spell her name out to some receptionist and follow on with brothers 5 letter name.

Thank you! Just felt sorry for her.

On the plus side the Aa at the start of her name means she always first in school activities when they choose alphabetically

i much prefer Aaliyah - not that my opinion matters 😂😂

It’s completely fine.

I think this is your issue and not hers. Her name is very pretty and a standard spelling, you need to give her a sense of pride over it, not try and explain why isn't not short, why should a name be short? Lots of boys names are longer anyway.

DD doesn't have an issue with it and it hasn't been a discussion point with DD either, would never make her feel inadequate over a few letters.

I was just thinking ahead if she would ever ask me why her name has so many letters.

Thank you everyone!

Another case of overthinking.

Appreciate your opinions!!

It's a beautiful name, OP. I think the double 'a' makes it very distinct, in a good way. So pretty.

Why can't she decide for herself it is her name

Me and my siblings all have a different amount of letters in our names. I have genuinely never noticed that before reading this thread - a persons name is just their name, the amount of letters in it is all they have known!

Thank you!

Aaliyah is how I would naturally spell that name! Never seen Aliya. There was the singer Aaliyah, and I have known of other real life young Aaliyahs. I don't think you can compare it to Raechelle. I'm not sure of your family background but the only thing I'd say is it's quite an "exotic" name and spelling if you're white British, as obviously it's an Arabic name. But that doesn't totally go away with spelling it Aliya, so I assume you're not bothered about that aspect of it!

Teacher here - taught several and Aaliyah seems like the right spelling to me, I haven't seen many simplify it. I wouldn't change it. It's pretty.

I think you’ve given her the traditional spelling-much prefer it and I wouldn’t change it.

I think you got some snarky responses as the Rachel example you gave seemed like you'd just made up some nonsense name.

But really, Aaliyah is the real name. It is pronounced as A-LEE-YA, but Aliya (which I've never heard of) would be pronounced as A-LIE-YA. I wouldn't change it due to the different pronunciations, they are different names