I was volunteering at my church’s nursery for the toddlers today during the service, and I saw a little boy with a name tag that read Aeryk. When his mother came to pick him up, I find out it is pronounced just like [name_m]Eric[/name_m]. I cringed when I saw Aeryk on the name tag. Poor child. What do you think of the name?
I figured that was the pronunciation but feel really sorry for that poor little boy. I’m sure his parents had their reasons, but I’m guessing most people (like me) will never appreciate them.
In my accent, “[name_f]Aer[/name_f]” and “Er” in Aeryk and [name_m]Eric[/name_m] would be said differently, the latter is a much shorter sound. So Aeryk is strange to me. I like [name_m]Eric[/name_m] and [name_m]Erik[/name_m] better.
I really think unnecessary “Ys” are probably among the most egregious name sins. You give your child a perfectly nice name like [name_m]Eric[/name_m], then DOOM him to have to spell his name out loud every day of his life. It’s like the parents want to be original so they punish the child. Sad.
Same here, Aeryk would be air-ick to me and [name_m]Eric[/name_m] more like Eh-rick, the traditional spelling would have a much shorter sound. I guessed the parents were trying to get at [name_m]Eric[/name_m] but the A at the start changes the pronunciation completely for me.
Not a fan of Aeryk! Wayyy too contrived!
What the heck? Aeryk? Talk about kree8tivv.
Why?.. This was completely unnecessary
I agree with essjay.
Aeryk makes my eyeballs itch.
That is awful.
[name_m]Eric[/name_m], yes. Aeryk, no. [name_m]How[/name_m] wud yoo laike it if I speleled eevry no’rmall werd rong? 
I detest the name [name_m]Eric[/name_m] - which is eh-rick in my accent as well.
I prefer [name_m]Aaron[/name_m] - air-on.
Doesn’t mean they need to be crossed, though.
Admittedly the nerd in me quite liked Airk in a specific swords-and-sorcery series/movie but I find Airk easier to look at than Aeryk. I might be kidding myself on that one though.