After discussing potential girl #2 names with SO, we are still locked in on [name_f]Claudia[/name_f]. However, the middle name is still not quite decided (not that we’re in a hurry). He likes the idea of CJ as a potential nickname, so we were talking about J names. It occurred to him that his grandmother, who was more of a parental figure to him before she passed, was named [name_f]Joan[/name_f]… spelled this way but pronounced Jo-anne. I kinda like the sound of it, but not completely sold on the spelling since even though I know how it’s pronounced, I still read it as… well, [name_f]Joan[/name_f]. I think he would prefer to keep the spelling as we’re both used to honor names as being a pretty strict deal, but I did mention my hesitations with it and it did give him pause as well. So I thought I’d get some [name_f]Berry[/name_f] input!
What do you think: [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joan[/name_f] (original spelling)? [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joanne[/name_f]? Another spelling we’re missing? Thoughts on the name in general?
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Tough choice. I normally also agree the honor name should be the actual name but [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Jo[/name_f] would be really cute.
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Could you land somewhere in the middle with [name_f]Joann[/name_f]? 
I think this is a tough one. I’m leaning more towards [name_f]Joan[/name_f], since it’s a middle, and it wouldn’t be read out by strangers too often.
Plus, it might be a way to talk to her about her grandmother, or something for her to tell others - like an fun fact - my middle name isn’t pronounced as you think because- if that makes any sense?
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I’m coming to this question from a different place, because I’m generally more open to indirect honour names if they’re still somewhat obvious, but I’d personally go for [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joanne[/name_f]! It sounds the same as your SO’s grandmother’s name, and it still contains her name in it. It’s just adding two extra letters that don’t change the sound of the name at all, so I don’t see how that would affect it being an honour name!
In a way, I think [name_f]Joanne[/name_f] works equally well as [name_f]Joan[/name_f] as an honour. [name_f]Joan[/name_f] retains the original spelling, but [name_f]Joanne[/name_f] retains the original pronunciation, since someone reading [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joan[/name_f] wouldn’t pronounce it like your SO’s grandmother’s name, but someone reading [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joanne[/name_f] would!
I really like [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joan[/name_f]!
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joanne[/name_f] I find myself saying jo-anne and if that’s not the honor name you want to use I’d stick with [name_f]Joan[/name_f].
The name of the person we’re honoring is spelled [name_f]Joan[/name_f], but pronounced Jo-anne, hence the dilemma!
Right, that does make it quite a dilemma! So I guess it goes down to does the pronunciation matter more to you or the spelling. Both ways honor them. But since her name was spelled [name_f]Joan[/name_f] I would personally spell it the same way. Could you spell it [name_f]Joan[/name_f] and pronounce it [name_f]Joanne[/name_f] just as she did?
[name_f]My[/name_f] great aunt was [name_f]Jo[/name_f] [name_f]Ann[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] grandma wanted that to be my moms middle name, but the story is that the hospital gave her a hard time about a space and a capital letter in the middle… So mom ended up with [name_f]Joan[/name_f] as middle, pronounced as JoAnn. She’s always wanted to change it. And I’ve (personally, sorry) always thought that it was weird. And sad for my grandma that they gave her a hard time.
I think either could work, but personally I’d choose [name_f]Joanne[/name_f]. I think it’d be easier & I just prefer how that spelling looks.
Side note
Summary
[name_f]My[/name_f] mom has a cousin [name_f]Joan[/name_f] pronounced Jo-Ann & the pronunciation was an issue for her because of course everyone pronounced [name_f]Joan[/name_f] like, well, [name_f]Joan[/name_f]. Also if your husband’s grandma is from [name_m]South[/name_m] [name_f]Dakota[/name_f] then we might be related 
I think if it was me I would go [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joann[/name_f] it’s only one letter out from the original spelling but creates clarity over the pronunciation off the name.
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps 
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Between [name_f]Joan[/name_f] and [name_f]Joanne[/name_f], I prefer [name_f]Joanne[/name_f]. I think it sounds some delicate and timeless.
I also think [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Joanne[/name_f] has a better flow.
You may also like [name_f]Johanne[/name_f]!
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] is such a lovely name. I’m delighted that you’ve chosen it!
I really think you can’t go wrong with whichever way you choose to spell the middle name. I would lean slightly towards [name_f]Joan[/name_f] since that’s the original, but I can’t imagine anyone would object if you went with [name_f]Joanne[/name_f] for clarity of pronunciation.
My first thought was to spell it Joann. That way it is more recognisable as an honour name for your partner’s grandmother and at the same time preserves the correct pronunciation.
I generally agree that a direct honour is best but over time I’ve opened up to other possibilities because I haven’t been satisfied with the options. In this case, we’re not talking about choosing a different name to honour the person, we’re only talking about changing the spelling.
I think it’s worth considering if you and your partner would feel satisfied passing on a name that is confused for another name. It will be something your child takes on and they’ll develop their own feelings about it. That could range from affection to indifference to frustration. It also crosses my mind that they may choose to change the pronunciation of Joan to match the spelling.
It’s worth exploring what changing the spelling would mean for you and your partner. Would it feel disrespectful? Would it still feel like an honour name? Would family recognise it as an honour name? How would you choose to explain your decision to others, or to your child?
Pronunciation and spelling are both important aspects of a name. Names are meant to be spoken. Sounds make names come alive. The same name can be spelt many different ways after all. Spelling can tell a story. It can communicate history and culture and it can personalise a name. Lots to think about but Claudia Joanne is a knockout however you choose to spell it.
I know someone with the [name_f]Joan[/name_f] spelling but pronounced [name_f]Joanne[/name_f], so she capitalizes the ‘a’. JoAn. Maybe that’s a possibility since the spelling is the same. Good luck and congrats!