What's your opinion regarding "creatively" spelled names?

Question

Like substituting "i" for "y", adding extra letters, etc. Cute or annoying? Creative, or just confusing?

Answer 1

Annoying, confusing and often quite ignorant.

For example, "Emmyleigh," still said "EM-i-lee" at the parents' insistence, is no less common than properly-spelled, number-one for a decade Emily, only now it is also a hassle to spell and pronounce. Not at all setting her apart from the dozens of other Emilys she'll encounter, other than the simple fact that she now looks illiterate -- after all, few employers will view this spelling as equally mature or professional as the traditional form -- and has to constantly correct others on the "proper" spelling and pronunciation. LOL

Likewise, many of these "creative" spellings are not only confusing, but phonetically impossible! Madyshion (one I've seen personally) simply cannot be said identically to Madison. It appears to be "MAYD-ee-shie-on," or "MAD-i-shon" at best. LOL So again, not only is that anything but creative, but also unnecessarily ignorant, pure and simple. Poor Madyshion and Emmyleigh!

And parents who misspell names that AREN'T overly common are just as bad, leading to the even more obvious assumption that they weren't purposefully misspelling a common name in a misguided attempt at creativity, but rather honestly had no clue how the name was properly spelled. LOL Anneliese, for instance, is barely in the top 1000, so seeing a girl named "Analease" -- one of the worst rampant misspellings I've seen, literally reading "anal ease" LOL -- makes it fairly clear the parents were completely ignorant of the name and its spelling and tried to sound it out. Likewise, Lorelei ranks a mere 740 on the SSA charts, and yet people insist on using the pop culture misspelling Lorelai or an overly-phonetic created spelling such as Loralie. Pretty much admitting they could care less about the name's rich history and simply saw too many Gilmore Girls reruns. LOL Unfortunate.

So yes, especially in light of the decidedly UN-creative trend to blatantly misspell a name, thereby ensuring the parents -- and sadly, the child -- will forever be assumed both ignorant and uneducated, I'd have to honestly say I don't have a very high opinion of "creatively" spelled names. ;)

Answer 2

I'm a teacher...and in some cases - it's just annoying. The kids with "creative" names always have their names spelled incorrectly on certificates....awards, letters (done by anyone but the class teacher) - and they will go through life having to correct anyone spelling their name - or having to spell it out EVERY time they give it to someone to use on documents of any kind. I'm not sure if a child should have "creative" spelling of their name because it was "cute" - just doesn't seem reason enough? I'm not sure why anyone would do it - plenty of names are pretty and unusual enough without adding or substituting letters and different sounds....the individuality is in THE NAME - not the spelling :)
Now please don't tell me you're naming your kids Peighton and Aydryan. Please ;)

Answer 3

Of your choices, I will take annoying and confusing.

I don't think it really is creative at all. If you are pronouncing it the same way, then the name is the same. Spelling a name in a different way does nothing to differentiate your "Maddysynne" from all the other Madisons on the playground.

I love names that have a special historical or cultural significance. Spelling the name in a different way seems to divorce it from its predecessors. It also makes the parent seem unaware of the historical/cultural significance of the name. A name seems somehow richer to me if it carries a historical/cultural tradition along with it.

As many people have pointed out, creative misspellings cause a lot of unnecessary difficulty for the child, for his teachers, and for anyone else trying to spell the child's name. They also make it difficult for a child to find personalized key rings, bike license plates, and other such items.

With all these reasons to spell a name in the standard fashion, I can't see why someone would desire to use a "creative" spelling.

Answer 4

I think it depends on the name...some really do look better with a y versus an i, also some unisex names having the i or the y makes it easier to tell if it is a male or female name.
I do think that a huge majority of people are getting out of line with the spelling, and will admit its kind of annoying. It is their baby, and their choice of course. I can understand trying to be creative, but I think alot of people are doing it more as a status, like "I can be more creative than you...".

Answer 5

Only to a certain extent. When people take it to far it is wrong to the child. i know a girl named natalie but it is spelled with 3i's, a U, and 2y's. I think her name should have 7 letters but it has 12! She hates it and would like it spelled normally.

By the way good question!

Answer 6

From having a name that is frequently misspelled, it is a nuisance for you and others to constantly have to tell people the right spelling, and when mistakes happen. It is creative yes, but giving your child a unique name is not going to make them a unique personality - they already have that and parents can give a better gift in that regard by giving them a good upbringing. It does leave them open to teasing and confusion at school though. That is just my opinion (it is up to parents to give their children the names they think fit). Good luck.

Answer 7

Usually I really dislike it.

There are rare and creative names that I'm sometimes impressed with.

But if they are just spelling a name wrong... well that's not creative, that's just stupid.

Well, maybe stupid is a bit harsh, but you get my drift. My initial thought is, 'Are you kidding?' I like to think I don't actually hold it against a person.

When it's a pretentious, self-ascribed nickname, it really turns me off.

Ethnic names don't count. Tatjana for Tatiana is just how they spell it, in her country, when using American letters.

Answer 8

Annoying and confusing.

Face it, the kid's name gets used 95% of the time out loud, when how you spell it does nothing to make it any different. "Kaytii" sounds exactly the same as "Katie". No advantage there.

The only time it's different is when someone is writing it. That's nearly always someone other than you or your child, who doesn't know it's spelt differently, so they get it wrong and your child has to go get it put right... No advantage there either.

Last, it makes YOU look stupid, as if you couldn't even figure out how to spell your own child's name. Not creative. Just dumb.

Answer 9

I feel changing the spelling can be both good and bad.
First - it depends on the reason for the spelling - perhaps that is your relative's name and you want to change it just a bit so you can differentiate between them. Or maybe you know so many people have the same spelling you want your child to have his/her own unique spelling. Or perhaps you have a special meaning attached to your spelling.
Second - it depends on why you have chosen that name in the first place. And what the keeping of your unique spelling means to you.
Lastly - it truly doesn't and shouldn't matter to anyone else what you choose as a name or how you choose to spell it. You only get one shot at naming your child. Make it a name that has meaning to you and one you and your child can be proud to carry.

Best Wishes

Answer 10

I think it looks like the parents cant spell. Also means the child has to spell their name out to people a lot!