Using an Unusual Spelling?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2007
Using an Unusual Spelling?
10
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 1:23pm

Two of the names that I will bring with me (I'll choose one when I see my baby) have unusual spellings. They are not wildly crazy or cutesy spellings, nor do they change the way the names are/could be pronounced. That is, most English-speaking people seeing these names would immediately know how to pronounce them. Additionally, the reason for the unusual spellings is to preserve a connection to a family name. Nevertheless, most people with these names spell them slightly differently than I would.

I know that some participants in this board tend to oppose unusual spellings. Can anyone tell me some pros and cons of using one? Has anyone used an unusual spelling and regretted the decision? Or has anyone used such a spelling and never had a moment's regret?

Any input on this would be appreciated, especially input based on experience. Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 1:46pm
I think my opinion partly depends on the names with the unusual spellings...I like Emilie spelled with the 'ie'. My friend named her boys Hayden and Kayleb, I dont mind the K in Kayleb so much as I do the 'y'. In both names, the y was completely unnecessary. Would you mind sharing your two names? Also, if it's to honour family, and you don't have problems reading/pronouncing the name, I would honestly say who cares what people think, and go ahead, because honouring a family member or important person ALMOST always trumps all!

Christie


Alexandra Brielle (7/11/06)


Currently Loving: Claire Anneliese, Genevieve Elisabeth,

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2007
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 3:26pm
The names are:
(1) Riece (as opposed to Reece or Reese), and
(2) Annica (as opposed to Annika).
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 3:29pm
I have no problem with Annica because I can understand it, but had you not have told me about it supposed to be like Reese, I would have guessed something along the lines of Rice, normally you have the long e sound in Reese/Reece but yours is a short i now. So I am not so sure about that one, but like I said, honouring family trumps all and its really only up to you and the father!

Christie


Alexandra Brielle (7/11/06)


Currently Loving: Claire Anneliese, Genevieve Elisabeth,

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2003
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 7:00pm
I agree with the pp, Annica is fine. Pretty name, and the spelling is clear enough, especially if it honors someone in your family. Riece, on the other hand, is not nearly as clear. I would have no idea how it should be pronounced and my first guess would sound like 'rice'. If you have two other names that have made the final list, I would drop this one.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2006
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 7:11pm
Annica looks like a proper spelling to me or at least a form of Annika so I think that one would be fine....Riese might occasionally be mispronounced rice instead of reese...and I don't think it looks like a variation..more like an unusual spelling...like both names however
Kelly

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 7:58pm

I'm one of those who is opposed to created spellings in general, mostly for the reasons you've mentioned (they tend to get crazy and even change the actual pronunciation, even if the parents disagree LOL). HOWEVER, I do think it can be overlooked if there is a good reason behind it, but only to a certain point.

For example, if your favorite grandmother was named Ema, with one M, I can understand wanting to use that exact spelling for your child. On the other hand, changing the spelling of Emily or Emeline to reflect your grandmother's "Ema" would cross the line for me. If you're willing to use a similar Em- name to honor her, misspelling it is unnecessary, since it's not the same exact name anyway. So yes, Emaly or Emaline would be too much. So basically, it would depend on the name and spelling in question, IMO. Hopefull you KWIM.

As far as personal experience is concerned, our oldest dd is named Kaitlyn, rather than Caitlin. Not an unusual spelling really -- actually the most common in the US, which is partly how my dh talked me into it (it also gave her my initials, which he wanted and I thought was a nice link). Despite that, I do often regret not sticking to my guns and spelling it Caitlin (and even pronouncing it thusly).

I also have a dd with an uncommon name -- Devanie -- and while it is spelled correctly, it's so unusual that no one knows how to spell it, it often gets mispronounced and she will NEVER find anything with her name on it. Those things don't bother me too much, because I love the name enough for it not to matter and can always have things personalized at a shop if she really wants, but the point is I knew that going in.

If her name were common and familiar, however, I would have used the traditional and most common spelling. Having grown up "Kelli ... with an 'i'" I know firsthand how annoying it can be to have a very popular name and still have it constantly misspelled and even mispronounced (apparently, that "i" throws people, because I've even gotten called kel-EYE, if that makes sense, on more than one occasion LOL).

Hopefully some of that might help you in your decision. ;)

~Kelli ... with an "i"


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2007
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 7:59pm
I will take this into consideration, thanks. I am surprised about the pronunciation issue, though, because Riece is spelled just like niece, which is pronounced, of course, with a long e. Well, something to think about. I can't drop it from the list entirely, though, because I just like it so much.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 7:59pm

<<>>

Actually, Hayden is the correct spelling in this case ... but you're right, Kayleb is bad. ;)


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 8:08pm

Anica is actually a valid form (it's Slovene ... not sure about Annica, but thought the info might help).

Riece will definitely get "rice" a lot, as others have mentioned, and it just looks way off to me. Reece is actually a variation of Reese, which is an Anglicization of Rhys (the proper spelling), so Riece is so far removed it doesn't even seem related anymore, if that makes sense.

Do you mind if I ask HOW these spellings are connected to a family name? If the family name is literally Riece, you could use Rhys or one of it's Anglicized forms to honor that person. If it's not, perhaps the ladies here might come up with something you like even better to honor that person, KWIM? Just a thought.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2006
Mon, 03-19-2007 - 12:07am
I like both of the names. I think if you really like them and the spelling doesn't bother you that you should use them.