So many names have so many spellings. Y or IE at the end, H in the middle or end, double N or not, an E at the end or not. It can be hard to choose!
I find that I am drawn to spellings for certain reasons. Sometimes I prefer the original and most authentic or common spelling variation, and other times I just simply like the way the letters look.
Other times I realize after saying a name aloud, I finding I actually don’t like the name as much as I thought, but I was drawn to it asthetically.
Examples: [name_f]Lucinda[/name_f] sounds ok to my ears, but I don’t love it. I happen to like the way her letters look.
[name_f]Gillian[/name_f] looks more asthetically pleasing than [name_f]Jillian[/name_f].
[name_f]Kaia[/name_f] sounds and looks amazing. [name_f]Caia[/name_f] I cannot get used to with the C.
The name [name_u]Paisley[/name_u] I’d never use for a child, but maybe a pet. I’m mentioning [name_u]Paisley[/name_u] because I seem to be drawn to [name_f]Paisleigh[/name_f] which is odd for my taste. I typically do not like [name_u]Leigh[/name_u] endings, with the exception of the firs name [name_u]Leigh[/name_u] for a woman.
[name_f]Paisleigh[/name_f] looks ridiculous to many people, but I like how the letters go together since some letters are round, as this is pleasing to my eyes.
I usually like word names spelled correctly, but this [name_f]Paisleigh[/name_f] love defies my logic.
When it comes to place names, I prefer the real thing. I think the whole [name_u]Londyn[/name_u]/Iyndianna/Victoriah names are ridiculous.
I usually just prefer the fuller version, like [name_f]Arianna[/name_f] and [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] and [name_f]Juliette[/name_f], or the original version. There are exceptions, like how I view both [name_u]Saide[/name_u] and [name_f]Sadie[/name_f] equally, and how I prefer [name_f]Erika[/name_f] over [name_f]Erica[/name_f]. I also REALLY prefer Isabel over Isabelle, and find the latter overused where I live.
Like AshleyJuliette said, I like word names spelt correctly for the most part. If your going to name your child [name_f]Charity[/name_f] or something, stick with [name_f]Charity[/name_f]. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t spell as Charittey, or Chariteigh.
I tend to prefer what I perceive as the most common or easiest not to mess up spelling. And when a name has both a fuller and compact version that are well known, I usually go for the more compact spelling. So [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] versus [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]. It’s important to me that a spelling be straightforward because people mess up my name’s spelling often enough to be annoying. And it’s not even that unusual, it’s just the second most popular version of the name.
Also, I agree about word names with pp. It seems silly to me to spell a word name other than how the word is spelled. What is the point?
Very true. As others have said, if there is a traditional or more popular spelling for a name I tend to lean that way. I despise adding unnecessary letters or changing -ly endings to -leigh. Or changing a -I to a -y.
But some names have multiple legitimate and acceptable spellings and yes, it’s hard to choose! We love the name [name_u]Elliott[/name_u] but you can spell it [name_u]Eliot[/name_u], [name_u]Elliot[/name_u], or [name_u]Elliott[/name_u]. [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] can be [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]. [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] can be [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]. I think it comes down to personal taste, in the end. Like [name_f]Indie[/name_f] is more appealing for a girl whereas [name_f]Indy[/name_f] is more appealing for a boy. But that’s just my personal preference.
I also love [name_f]Erika[/name_f] and dislike [name_f]Erica[/name_f].