How should I spell first name?
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How should I spell first name?
| Tue, 07-11-2006 - 12:35am |
How should I spell first name?
- Haylie
- Hailee
- Hailie
You will be able to change your vote.
| Tue, 07-11-2006 - 12:35am |
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Thanks for everyone's feedback! I guess I am somewhat surprised that Hailey seems to be the favorite (I guess I shouldn't be since it is the most popular spelling!) Honestly, I am more confused now than ever and I've actually been second guessing my decision of using this name at all now (mostly because of the Halley's Comet comments). I personally think there is a lot to be said about the way you spell a name, though some of you don't seem to think so. I just don't want it mispronounced all the time (that's why Haley isn't an option for me). And I think some versions look prettier than others. Am I the only one that as a child wanted her name to be spelled any way other than the traditional? I would even write Amie or Amee at the top of my school work because I hated Amy so much. But perhaps I am reading way too much into this and unfortunately DH is no help in this area. He seems to be the only one who doesn't really care how it's spelled. My family on the other hand seems to have strong opinions on using either the Hay version or Hai version. I think I will give it time and just see how I feel when the big day comes. I thought naming my baby girl was going to be fun but it has been very difficult for DH and I since we agree on very few names and now I can't make up my mind on a spelling : (
Thanks again everyone!!
Amy
EDD:11-5-06
PS. Also surprised no one mentioned Haylee.
I think you'll find that people on this board (including me) are nearly always in favor of spelling the name in such a way that little Hailey/Haylee/Hay-leigh/Haley will not have to spell her name to every person she meets. I think you are wrong that Haley will be mispronounced as Halle, and that's just because the rules of spelling and pronunciation require that Haley be pronounced with a long A. The reason that Halle is pronounced as it is, is because there is a second L, thereby indicating a short A sound.
When I meet a person named Hayley, this is the spelling that I assume, followed closely by Hailey and Haley. The Hayley suggestion seems to solve your problem by being a bit less common than Hailey, and also clarifying the pronunciation issue (since there can be no doubt that "hay" is pronounced with a long A sound).
I would never dream up one of the spellings on your list. I think that they are undesirably complicated, really, and honestly, they turn me off to the name. I don't mind the name Hayley, though I think it may seem a little juvenile, but the creative spellings make it seem extremely juvenile. I cannot see "Hailie" atop a serious resume, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, let us know what you decide! What are the middle name possibilities?
Wow, perhaps this was not a good idea to solicit others opinions in my very emotional pregnant state (tears are now streaming down my face)! I really did appreciate your opinions but when you start calling my baby girls name juvenile and not a name to be taken seriosly I cannot help but be offended and now quite upset. There are names I have seen that I don't particulary care for but I would never say anything other than it wasn't my own personal taste. So it comes down to this, names are a very personal decision and I prefer very sweet sounding names for my DD.
Amy
I prefer Hailey because it is the most visually-appealing valid spelling of the name, in my opinion. I don't mind spellings that are accepted variations, but I think it looks tacky and illiterate when parents try to alter a spelling to make a name seem more "unique" or something, when that really has no effect on the popularity or uniqueness of the name itself (I'm in no way implying this is what you're doing, just explaining why I like Hailey in particular).
FWIW, I HAD a non-traditional spelling of a popular name -- Kelli. I do prefer it this way now, but then I've grown up with it. LOL I did hate having to spell my name every time I met someone, started a new job or new class, things like that, and I really hated having such a very-popular name and yet never being able to find it spelled "my way" on any of the cool personalized stuff that was so popular. ;)
Naming your baby SHOULD be fun, though (and I've been there, so don't get frustrated! LOL). If it's getting to you, take a break and see how you like the name when you come back to it. Or keep looking, even if it's just to see what else is out there. I'm sure everyone here would be happy to help. :)
~Kelli
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I am sorry to have offended you; you asked for opinions, and I really thought you wanted them. You reacted well when a previous poster said that your reason for choosing an alternate spelling was "silly," so I would never have imagined that you would have reacted this strongly to my comments. It certainly was never my aim to draw tears. In the future, it may be best for you to include a note that you'd rather not receive negative comments. Quite a few ladies do that on this board, and their wishes are honored.
As for the name: As I said in my post, Hayley (whatever the spelling) is a fine name. Is it a name that I would choose? Honestly, no. But do I hate it? Absolutely not. I'm sure that there are names on my list of favorites that you would dislike much more than I dislike the name Hayley. And for what it's worth, I said that Hayley was perhaps a bit juvenile, which simply means that it's a name I can picture more easily on a small child than I can on an adult; it's not as if I said it was horrible. I did say that it was the *spelling* that made it seem extremely juvenile and difficult to take seriously.
The fact is this: obviously, we just have different tastes. As it happens, I am particularly sensitive to names with made-up spellings because I grew up with one. Every time I tell someone my name, I have to repeat it, and when I order something over the telephone or leave a telephone message for someone, I end up having to spell my name about 4 times. I just finished a job search, and during EVERY SINGLE interview, the first comment, EVERY TIME, was "Wow, I've never seen your name spelled that way." Let me tell you, this is not fun. You may have been bored with Amy growing up, but at least everyone knew how to spell it when they heard it, and how to pronounce it when they saw it written. Common spellings are not a handicap; they are an advantage. Plus, if you are concerned about the popularity of the name, then changing the spelling isn't going to distinguish her when teachers/friends/family say her name; she will still end up being Hailie T. (or whatever your last name initial is).
So, in conclusion, if you're looking for a "sweet" name for your new daughter, I think that Hayley fits the bill. I am still in favor of choosing a more traditional spelling, though, whether it be Hayley, Hailey, or Haley. If you don't, well, she's your little girl, and I am sure that whatever you choose to name her will be perfect for you. Good luck, and again, my apologies. :-)
Thank you for the apology and like I said my hormones are getting the best of me these days. I think it's just a sensitive subject with me since it took so long to agree on this name and now I'm having doubts. I will definately consider the spellings of Hailey and Haylee or Hayley. I thought I would throw those others out there to see what were the favorite of the three but none come close to Hailey. I can see your point on having to spell it all the time and that's something I will now consider. I'm only 6 months pregnant and making big decisions for my little girl is already hard!!!
Amy
No problem...looks like our sensitive subjects just collided, and the results were bad. :-( But, if you've finally managed to reach a decision with your husband after lots of argument, etc., then go with your decision.
And a previous poster said that it may be a good idea just to separate yourself from the naming decision for a while...that may be what you need to do. Of course I understand that you want to get her name settled, but you have some time. Focus on the nursery, or buying cute little baby girl clothes, or maybe on picking out a baby book or something...anything to take keep from fixating on the name. Or, if you want, flip through a few baby books or maybe put a post on here asking for some fun suggestions...just get your juices flowing a little, and see if Hailey is the name you come back to. If it is, you'll know it's the name for your baby girl. You're right; this should be fun! Don't let yourself worry about it...I know that's easier said than done. :-)
I know your upset, you just have to remember these are other peoples opinions, and if you and your dh love the name, that is all that matters. Not everyone is going to like the same name or spelling of a name, which is actually a good thing because if we as parents all had the same taste, we would live in a world full of little Ann's and Ben's (just examples of traditional simple names). Good luck making this decision.
Michelle
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