Should I spell my baby's name phonetically or spell it creatively?

Question

I've seen Alexis and Aleksus - does it make it more unique to use creative spellings or does it just look misspelled?

Answer 1

My name (which is not actually Kim) is a unique name (or used to be) with a unique spelling. Not only have I had to deal with it being misspelled 99.9999% of the time, but as someone who was already "different," having an odd name made me feel all the more like an oddball. And the difficulty goes beyond just having to correct people constantly. My name is spelled wrong on my passport because the person processing it assumed the more typical spellng.

And people do judge, whether you want them to or not. "Creative" spellings may send the message that you're trying too hard to be different just for the sake of being different, or that you didn't know the more traditional spelling.

Bottom line: It's a lot of hassle for a child, then an adult, to have a "creatively" spelled name. If you want creativity, instill in her a love of art, literature, music, critical thinking, etc.

Answer 2

It looks mispelled. Spelling her name all funky won't make her more unique. It will just give her a harder time in life. People will often question her and mispronounce her name (trust me, it'll happen). I don't really understand the concept of spelling names all weird.

In the long term, say your daughter became an attorney...who do you think the potential client will want to hire. Alexis or Aleksus? You may not realize this but people often opt to go with lawyers, doctors...whoever...based on what names they can most easily associate with. Good luck and congrats on ur baby

Answer 3

Please, use the traditional, accepted spelling of the name. It will save you, your child, teachers and employers a lot of trouble and frustration. Also, check out the book Frekanomics if you are interested in stuff like this. There is a great section on baby names and it discusses advantages and disadvantages in the workplace related to creative or trendy names. You'd be amazed to read these studies people have done that prove, without a doubt, that traditional and properly spelled names are much more well-received with colleges and employers. Why start your kid out with an unfair but completely real disadvantage?

Children don't need creative names to be unique, they are special all on their own. Besides, there are much nicer ways to be creative with your baby's name. Using an uncommon name is a much safer idea, and will make you look creative and literate at the same time :)

Good luck to you!

I just wanted to add on- To the poster who calls people who spell names correctly "morons"- Your children will not be the only ones in their school with those names. They will be one of few with the same exact sounding name, just spelled flat out wrong. Try and understand- Alexis and Aleksus, same name. One child looks like her parent's have a little knowledge of etymology, one looks like her mom tried super hard to be unique and failed miserably. Both share the same name.

BTW SHANNON- Not everything in my post is directed to you, calm yourself. I'm answering the posters question. I'm terribly sorry you lost Molliegh, it breaks my heart to hear that. And you are right, Malayleigh won't share her name with anyone in her school. And to be honest with you, it's because her name is a madeup jumble of letters that ryhmes with the word ukulele. I'm sure she's a gorgeous and intellegent girl, but she sure got a joke of a name. Don't call people morons if you're so sensitive, be strong for little Malayleigh's sake. She's going to need to learn how to overcome name-calling and teasing with a name like that.

Answer 4

Alexsus looks horribly misspelled. Actually now a days if you spell it right its more unique, lol. I'm sure within a couple of years the creative spelling phase will past. Right now its either Creative Spellings or Really old Classics are in. Not saying all creative spellings are bad. It just depends on how far own goes.

Answer 5

Definately looks misspelled. Especially since people will always spell it the proper way, so she'll have an irritating lifetime of correcting people. Secondly, it looks like the parent was trying to hard to be unique by choosing a common name and just changing up the spelling...which is actually not unique at all.
Sorry, but i agree with the poster that said, "tacky and low-class" is the assumption.

Answer 6

My teachers often mispronounced my name(French origin). They'd say Ya-vette. I'd correct them but it sometimes didn't stick in their memory. I've seen it spelled Evette(English) and Ivette(Spanish). As a child, I didn't like my name cause it was soooo uncommon, but the name has grown in popularity over the years.

My advice to you is, spell it however you want. Be creative. Be unique. Having an uncommon name or spelling makes you stand out, it sets you apart. People will remember you that way.

And your name choice is not so off-the-wall. It's not like you're choosing a name like "Kasjdefkjo"

Answer 7

Naming a baby is totally the decison of the parents maybe with a little input from family and friends. I always preferred a unique creative name. After all, the name will be with your baby for life. Just avoid names that will cause problems later in life. And remember that kids can be cruel now a days so dont go naming your baby something that she or he will come home telling you about how they were teased and tourmented. My daughters name is Emarie. The combination of Emily and my middle name Marie. So when in doubt take 2 names that you really like and combine them in different ways and see what you come up with. Like for example the name Alexis combined with Star....Alestar or Alistar. Different yet unique. Nick name can be either Ali or Star. Have fun and good luck!

Answer 8

This is going to be harsh but I have to be honest for you and all of those others out there who perpetuate this horrible trend:

Misspelling your child's name doesn't make you look creative, it makes you look stupid. Personally, I associate this trend with being low-class and tacky. And do I have to mention the headaches she is going to have to endure by clarifying the spelling of her name for the rest of her life?

You child will be unique (or not) based on her personality and how she interacts with the world, not on the spelling of her name.

Do you have the RIGHT to name you baby whatever you want and spell it however you see fit? Of course you do. You also have the right to look like an idiot.

Answer 9

I personally like the regular way of Alexis. I think it's the 'prettiest' spelling. I know an Elexius. Now that's getting a bit creative, but I don't care for it.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, volumes of studies have shown that unusual spellings don't fair well.
For some reason, people see them and chalk them up to ignorance or attitude. Because a first name is so enormously important throughout life, I'd play it safe. We want success. It will matter.