# "Creative" name spelling- your opinions, please **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 2, 2007, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422 "2007-04-02T14:39:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/81 "2007-04-02T23:31:56Z")
Oh, and I’m from Maryland (right outside of D.C.), so is my cousin (who pronounces her name like I do) and my husband (who also pronounces it like me) is from rural Australia. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/82 "2007-04-02T23:34:58Z")
My friend named her son Brandon, however through some logic that made no sense to me whatsoever, decided to spell it Brand **a** n - I think she said something about not wanting people to nickname him Don, something I’ve never heard anyone nickname a Brandon anyway 😕 Anyway, a couple of weeks ago she showed me an invitation she received addressed to her husband, herself, her daughter and “Brand **o** n”, and she _mocked_ the sender for spelling her child’s name wrong. I said nothing. Privately I was thinking “No, you spelt it wrong. You can’t change the spelling and then expect everyone else to miraculously know that the usual rule doesn’t apply to your child”. That’s what I hate. When you give your child a non-standard spelling, you have to expect that people won’t get it right straight away, and that it may take them a while to get used to the new spelling. Ridiculing people for not realising that you’ve messed with the spelling of a name they think they already know how to spell is obnoxious. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Machine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Ice\_Machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Machine)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/83 "2007-04-02T23:39:37Z")
I’ll chime in on not liking the creative, made up spellings. I actually like the less common alternate spellings but not the completely random ones. I wanted to name my kids a known name but not a top 10 name. That didn’t quite work out right. Isabella turned out to be quite popular a couple years ago. Eric isn’t quite as popular. It took us a day or two to come up with his name and deciding whether to go with “k” or “c” although several times people have spelled it Erick. My sister had a baby a couple months ago. I thought the name was Jocelyn on the voicemail and I just heard it wrong. Nope, it’s Jazzlyn but at least it’s pronounced how it looks. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/84 "2007-04-02T23:49:11Z")
[QUOTE=5-4-Fighting] I have to admit the very first time I heard this name, I swore it was a joke name someone made up as part of a spoof. When I found out there was apparently an “authentic” person connected to it, I reserved judgment, as I alway try to with “madeup” names. Apparently, Ms. Rice’s mother derived the name from a Italian musical direction, roughly translated as “with sweetness.” [/QUOTE] Yeah, but…Yeah, but look how she spelled it. It’s _crazy_. I believe the Italian musical notation is con dolcezza. I just can’t get over this crackbrained name and the fact that little Condi grew up to be a high-ranking civil servant rather than a topless waitress. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/85 "2007-04-03T00:18:16Z")
[QUOTE=Litoris] In fact, I chose the spelling of Niquolos because I knew 2 guys growing up (different ages, different regions) with that spelling and always liked it. [/QUOTE] I tried about half-dozen different search engines and they all returned exactly the same number of results for that spelling: 0. You may have seen it before, but it’s anything but “numerous.” ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/86 "2007-04-03T00:24:13Z")
[QUOTE=1920s Style “Death Ray”] I was named Jonathan which is fine. It is the most common spelling by a long long way (116,000,000 google hits as opposed to 6,500,000 for Jonathon.) Unfortunately people try very hard to mangle it, Johnathon, Johnathahn, Johnethehn. What is it? Are there a heap of spare 'h’s lying around the place? [/QUOTE] With me it’s a spare “c”. I have a reasonably common Swedish name, spelt with a k and without a c. I’ve never met a Swedish person who spelt it with a c. Nonetheless, a good portion of my relatives insist on spelling it with a c. I can only conclude that they have bagfuls of c that they worry they won’t be able to unload before the price drops. As for getting creative with spelling, ditto what other people have said: pointless and annoying for everybody involved. If ever a tiny priceling would come along, I have decided that it should have a name that a) is uncommon, and not uncommon in the sense that it was uncommon while I grew up so now everybody is giving it to their kids but uncommon in the sense that it will remain uncommon and b) is virtually impossible to misspell. I had a couple picked out with my former girlfriend, but apparently she got them in the divorce. Fair enough, I guess, she is far more likely than me to have kids. She’ll have them sooner, at any rate. ---
**Author:** ![Gentle\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gentle\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gentle_Robot)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/87 "2007-04-03T00:24:45Z")
[QUOTE=CaerieD] My name is Caroline. It’s pronounced Caro_linn._ [/QUOTE] No it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/88 "2007-04-03T00:39:26Z")
[QUOTE=Gentle Robot] No it’s not. [/QUOTE] [Wrong](http://www.answers.com/caroline&r=67). ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/89 "2007-04-03T00:52:19Z")
[QUOTE=Gentle Robot] No it’s not. [/QUOTE] And just for another cite… [Yes](http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Caroline), it is. Both are acceptable. One happens to be more common. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/90 "2007-04-03T01:11:04Z")
[QUOTE=monstro] Depending on the name, I think either “stupid parent” or “crazy parent”. [/QUOTE] Likewise. I knew a stupid little bint who got herself knocked up and squeezed out a rugrat that she proceeded to name “Makenah” (McKenna). To me, this advertises: “My mother is hucced awn fawniks”. “Moonlight TigerLily” means: “My mommy has way too many dolphin posters and no reasoning abilities!” ---
**Author:** ![Idlewild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8491ac/32.png) [@Idlewild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idlewild)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/91 "2007-04-03T01:24:22Z")
[QUOTE=CaerieD] And just for another cite… [Yes](http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Caroline), it is. Both are acceptable. One happens to be more common. [/QUOTE] I’m with you. My cousin Caroline is pronounced Carolin. No big deal. It strikes me as insular to insist that there’s only one possible pronunciation for a name - Caroline pronounced Carolin was certainly not uncommon when I was a kid in Australia. I’m not sure why people would feel the need to tell you you’re _wrong_ about how your name is pronounced. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/92 "2007-04-03T02:07:16Z")
Is it just me, or are those of us who have odd names pretty much stating it’s not a big deal and those with what would be considered “normal” names are taking umbridge at how people say and or spell their names? I’ve gotten used to it. I will slip in a correction once, if a person chooses to disregard the correct and continue calling me the wrong name, no big deal. When I spell my name I automatically say “One word, two caps”. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/93 "2007-04-03T02:16:41Z")
For my last name, I’ve given up saying it the “right” way (the way our family says it) and now say it the way I know will result the best chance of it being spelled correctly. It’s easier than fighting with people. It’s a name that was made up at Ellis Island, so unfortunately it doesn’t look or sound like any other word (in English), and I figure straight phonetics is the way to go. I do have to remember to switch back when I am at home, otherwise I become the person who doesn’t know how to pronounce her own name, but for real. To the OP, my accent in general is disgustingly nasal, so my Laurel and Laurie sound like “lah” and my Lori sounds like “ler.” Which one would you prefer? ---
**Author:** ![MissGypsy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@MissGypsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissGypsy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/94 "2007-04-03T02:23:19Z")
When my husband and I chose a name for one of our sons, we ran it past all the grandparents. My mother-in-law told me she liked our choice (Dylan), because she liked both Dylan Thomas and Bob Dylan. Cool. Last Christmas, she called and asked how to spell his name. When I told her, she asked why it wasn’t spelled the normal way. 😕 Regardless, his Christmas gifts were addressed to “Dillon”. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/95 "2007-04-03T02:29:37Z")
I used to gripe when I was a teen that **Cheez\_Whia** hadn’t given me a unique enough name. Now that I’m older, I’m really glad I have an easy to deal with name. Although everyone wants to spell it with an ‘s’. Everyone knows Elizabeth is with a **z** , dammit. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/96 "2007-04-03T02:43:09Z")
[QUOTE=Queen Bruin] Although everyone wants to spell it with an ‘s’. Everyone knows Elizabeth is with a **z** , dammit. [/QUOTE] Weird. My given name is Eli **z** abeth, and nobody has ever tried to spell it with an ‘s’ And..this is the perfect time to use my sig! ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/97 "2007-04-03T02:50:43Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] How is that going to stop them from having to constantly correct the spelling of their names all their lives? [/QUOTE] Exactly. I have said “Sarah-with-an-H” approximately 97,000 times in my life. It’s annoying enough when there are 2 or more very common spellings of a name…I can’t imagine making up a unique spelling on purpose. I had no feminist qualms about changing my last name when I got married…I went from an uncommon, difficult-to-spell-and-pronounce name to one that eveyone has heard and knows how to spell and say. I didn’t have to think twice about changing it…life is too short to spell a name over and over if you don’t have to. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/98 "2007-04-03T03:21:32Z")
I like these threads. I always read them. I really have empathy for people whose names are mangled by everyone they meet. But I always have to chuckle, because no one has ever mispronounced my name. It is impossible to misspell or mispronounce my name. Same with my brothers and sister. No one could possibly misinterpret our names to be other than what they are. There are no alternate spellings of the boys’ names and only one of my sister’s. I suppose she gets it sometimes. Our parents were traditional WASPs, and with regard to our naming, we are luckier than many people. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/99 "2007-04-03T03:29:56Z")
[QUOTE=FaerieBeth] Weird. My given name is Eli **z** abeth, and nobody has ever tried to spell it with an ‘s’ [/QUOTE] Yeah I don’t get it either, but it has gotten to the point that I just spell out my name before someone can ask “is that with an ‘s’?” Maybe there’s a proliferation of Elisabeths in California, but I sure haven’t run into them. ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422/100 "2007-04-03T03:37:21Z")
[QUOTE=Queen Bruin] Yeah I don’t get it either, but it has gotten to the point that I just spell out my name before someone can ask “is that with an ‘s’?” Maybe there’s a proliferation of Elisabeths in California, but I sure haven’t run into them. [/QUOTE] Google hits on Elizabeth: 153,000,000 Google hits on Elisabeth: 47,600,000 And just for reference… Google hits on Alisabeth: 13,600 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creative-name-spelling-your-opinions-please/398422.md?page=6)