See the results of this poll: Yay or nay?
Respondents: 32 (This poll is closed)
- Lorelei : 26 (81%)
- Lorelai: 6 (19%)
I think they will both be equally difficult for people to pronounce. Except for the people familiar with the name, and then [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] would be the obvious one they would be familiar with.
Anyway, now I’m wondering where you’re from. Your pronounciation seems very different than mine (well, the first syllable anyway).
[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is [name_m]German[/name_m] so the last syllable “lei” is pronounced “lie” (think of Heidi). Perhaps you’re getting confused with the Hawaiian lei (a garland or necklace of flowers given in [name_m]Hawaii[/name_m] as a token of welcome or farewell). That is pronounced “lay”. I would stick with the original spelling of [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f].
[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is the most familiar, but I have always been more drawn to the [name_f]Lorelai[/name_f] spelling. It makes more sense to me.
I am from Southern Australia 
And yes, [name_u]Mischa[/name_u], maybe I am. Despite being fluent in [name_m]German[/name_m] and being familiar with their names, that spelling stills looks odd to me. Who knows why!