How Do You Spell This Name?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
How Do You Spell This Name?
10
Sat, 10-14-2006 - 3:28pm

Dh and I really like the name 'STEF-ehn' but I'm going crazy with the spelling. I'm not sure how to spell it to get the pronunciation I want. I don't want it pronounced 'stef-FAHN', I read that Stefan is pronounced this way. I originally wanted the Stephan spelling but I'm told it could get mixed up and he could be called Steven, which I really don't want. So, my question is how would you spell it? Do you know anyone with this name and how do they spell it? These are my options -

Stefan
Steffan
Stephan
Stefen
Steffen

TIA!

Terra.
TTC#3

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2005
Sat, 10-14-2006 - 3:45pm
I have a friend whose son's name is pronounced that way and they spell it Steffen. They haven't had too many issues with pronounciation, but then he's only a year old. I would definitely avoid the ph spellings and I think two Fs are better than one to get this pronounciation. I like Steffen best and Steffan second. Those seem the most intuitive to me for that pronounciation.



Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Sat, 10-14-2006 - 4:21pm

Thanks Annie. Any kind of input right now is appreciated. I'm very open to suggestions on the spelling of this name. :)

Terra.
TTC#3

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2003
Sat, 10-14-2006 - 4:21pm
Stephen is the way I think it is supposed to be spelled but people may be easily confused and say it either way with that spelling. I think that Steffen would make it the clearest on how to pronounce it.
Photobucket
Avatar for 3togetready
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-1999
Sat, 10-14-2006 - 8:22pm
Ok, for what its worth my dh thinks it is spelled Stephan.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sat, 10-14-2006 - 9:55pm

I think the Steffen spelling is the best to get the pronunciation you want.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2006
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 1:49am

Stefan would be the primary spelling of the name you are seeking, a name I've always liked! Strong and not often heard here.


Later,

Ginger

Ginger

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 1:46pm

But isn't Stefan pronounced 'stef-FAHN' or through me eyes a better explanation in typing might be 'stef-FAWN'? This pronunciation is not what I'm looking for. I'm looking for 'STEF-en'. It seems like the majority thinks Steffen would be my best bet. And it was nice to know that Annie knows someone with it spelt this way so I know this spelling is out there. WDYT of this spelling?

Terra.
TTC#3

Avatar for haarlasr
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 3:35pm

I agree with several others that Steffen is most likely to give you the correct pronuncation. If this is a middle name that won't get used as much, I'd go for whichever spelling looks nicest to you. (I personally prefer Stefan.) But Steffen is really the way to go if you want to guarantee the right pronunciation, IMO.

Stefan can go either way, I think -- ste-FAHN or STEFF-en. And Steffan would make me unsure as well.

Stephan would probably get confused with Stephen and pronounced like Steven.

And Stefen just leaves me a little uncertain, too. It makes me more likely to say STEFF-en, but I'm not confident when I say it. Not like I would be with Steffen.

HTH!
Stephanie

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 3:57pm

Thanks. It would be for a first name. We're leaning towards Steffen. :)

Terra.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-13-2006
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 6:57pm
I'd go with Stefan. :)