First name spelling debate: Mae or May?

Name Advice
1

[name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I love the first name Mae/May for a baby girl, but we each like it spelled differently. Help us settle the debate, please! What do you think?

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2

[name_m]Welcome[/name_m] to NB!

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Mae[/name_f]. Distinguishes from the month and is the more aesthetically pleasing spelling IMO

3

I definitely prefer [name_f]May[/name_f] :honeybee:

[name_f][/name_f]

The name is gorgeous with either spelling but I prefer the cottagecore vintage charm of [name_f]May[/name_f] along with how intuitive this spelling feels. I think [name_f]May[/name_f] is gorgeous lovely name!

4

I like [name_f]May[/name_f]

6

Thanks for your feedback! :slight_smile:

7

Thank you! I appreciate your input.
[name_f][/name_f]:slight_smile:

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8

Thanks for your input :slight_smile:

9

[name_f]May[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] is my favorite spelling – to me at least, she looks a little more finished & really emphasizes that simple elegance but also the bright joy of springtime. You can’t go wrong with either though!

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10

Thank you! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!

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11

I like May. I just think it looks better, and the month is a positive association for me. :cherry_blossom:

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12

Thank you for your feedback! :slight_smile:

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13

In this situation, I would see if you can make a trade with the middle name for the sake of balance. For instance, you could use your preferred spelling for the first name, and your husband’s preferred name for the middle, or vice versa.

[name_f][/name_f]

It might not work for you if you’ve already decided on a middle name, but it would be nice to make a compromise somewhere. If baby is getting your husband’s middle name, that could be reason to go with your preferred spelling?

[name_f][/name_f]

For what it’s worth, I prefer [name_f]May[/name_f]. I used to like [name_f]Mae[/name_f] but the ‘ae’ looks a bit chaotic to me nowadays. The [name_f]May[/name_f] feels warm and serene, whereas [name_f]Mae[/name_f] feels brisk and a little cutesy by comparison.

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14

Thank you! We’re going with Dehn as the middle name. It’s a family name, and pronounced [name_m]Dean[/name_m]. Does this impact your thoughts on the spelling of the first name?

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Mae[/name_f] Dehn vs [name_f]May[/name_f] Dehn

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15

Idk why I think of [name_f]May[/name_f] as a first name and [name_f]Mae[/name_f] as a middle name

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16

Not particularly, I still prefer [name_f]May[/name_f] overall. I notice with [name_f]May[/name_f] Dehn, the y and h balance each other out spatially – one below the line, one above the line. I think that’s quite neat.

[name_f][/name_f]

With [name_f]Mae[/name_f] Dehn, all the letters are above the line and e in [name_f]Mae[/name_f] repeats in Dehn so that feels visually cohesive.

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17

I typically prefer [name_f]Mae[/name_f], but with Dehn i think i prefer the look of [name_f]May[/name_f]

18

Thank you! I love how you explained the spatial balance. Much appreciated!

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19

Yes- with [name_f]Mae[/name_f] used so frequently as a middle name, it’s making our decision tricky. Thank you for your feedback on this!

20

I very much prefer [name_f]Mae[/name_f]. [name_f][/name_f] I think of [name_f]May[/name_f] as the month and [name_f]Mae[/name_f] as the name.

[name_f][/name_f]

I agree with pp kachenka. [name_f][/name_f] Visually, I like the looks of MaE Dehn.

21

I like [name_f]Mae[/name_f] myself!