After much STRESS and ANGST and general pain and hysteria , my hubby finally agreed to let me name our boy (born on [name]Sunday[/name]–7 lbs, red hair, absolute perfection) [name]Oscar[/name] [name]John[/name]. We’re naming him after the [name]German[/name] side of my family in which there are a ton of Oskars, but no Oscars.
I thought we’d go with the American spelling to avoid the whole made-up spelling look, but my hubby likes the look of [name]Oskar[/name] and the family connection. He gave me the name I wanted so I want to be accommodating. Plus, I like the look of [name]Oskar[/name] as well.
So . . . when you see [name]Oskar[/name] do you think “[name]German[/name] spelling” or do you think “that person doesn’t know how to spell [name]Oscar[/name]”?
If it makes a difference we try to stick to traditional spellings – my other children are [name]Miriam[/name], Cowen, [name]Emeline[/name], [name]Eli[/name], and [name]Harriet[/name].
The birth certificate lady is calling on [name]Wednesday[/name] so I want to decide by then. Thanks for your help!!!
Congratulations on your little redhead!
[name]Oskar[/name] is a great name, any way it’s spelled. [name]Oscar[/name] might be more congruent with your other children’s names, but I think [name]Oskar[/name] with a K is fabulous. Somehow I see it as a little more aggressive than [name]Oscar[/name] with a C, but not in a bad way. I wouldn’t see it as misspelled, just the [name]German[/name] spelling.
I think ‘traditional spelling’ when I see [name]Oskar[/name]… but I’m a lifelong name nerd, like many people here, and can’t guess what the average person would think of that spelling. But anyway, I prefer [name]Oskar[/name] over [name]Oscar[/name]. I think it’s something about that standing K in the center, with two letters flanking it on each side. It just seems so well balanced.
I personally prefer the oscar spelling, but I think the story for [name]Oskar[/name] is better. It’s really up to you. You could let your children have influence on that portion of the name. Maybe that would help them feel more attatched to the baby.
I think that the majority of people will see [name]Oskar[/name] as made up, since most people don’t know anything about traditional spellings/name origins. He’ll always have to spell it.
[name]Both[/name] spellings are equally legitimate, but personally I would go with the family spelling of [name]Oskar[/name]. I feel like spelling it [name]Oscar[/name] would take away some of the meaning behind the name…
Cowen and [name]Emeline[/name] are already non-traditional spellings; how have they fared [if they’re old enough to be spelling their names out]?
The K will always require him to spell it out. He’ll always be “[name]Oscar[/name] with a K.” That doesn’t detract from its legitimacy, but it adds a wrinkle.
Personally I would choose [name]Oscar[/name] as you live in an anglophone country and speak English. But [name]Oskar[/name] is a valid choice if you really prefer it aesthetically.
That’s interesting-- I would argue that [name]Emeline[/name] is a traditional spelling. I think there are three traditional spellings: [name]Emeline[/name], [name]Emmeline[/name], and [name]Emmaline[/name]. My ancestor spelled hers [name]Emeline[/name] and the woman my daughter is named after is spelled [name]Emmeline[/name]. I don’t see any of the three as being the definitive spelling. Cowen, yes, I’ll give you that. I wanted to spell it Cowan, the spelling in the Irish baby name book where I originally saw the name, but allowed myself to be convinced to spell it “[name]Owen[/name]” with a C as my family insisted it would cut down on mispronunciations. it has not. But, it does make it easy to help people remember it–just “[name]Owen[/name]” with a C. I still wish I’d spelled it Cowan.
I would immediately think “[name]German[/name] spelling”, particularly if it is paired with a [name]German[/name] last name. If your last name is [name]Adams[/name] or [name]Smith[/name] or Popplewell or something, I’d stick with [name]Oscar[/name].
I’d stick with k. Being [name]German[/name]-American I had a similar problem deciding on [name]Victor[/name]/[name]Viktor[/name]. My final decision came down to that the name would honor my SO’s mother who was [name]Victoria[/name] and thus the c was more appropriate. If you are honoring your family with [name]Oscar[/name]/[name]Oskar[/name] I’d stick with the family spelling. It honors your [name]German[/name] heritage and it’s not like you “invented” the spelling it’s a legit alternative.
, my hubby finally agreed to let me name our boy (born on [name]Sunday[/name]–7 lbs, red hair, absolute perfection) [name]Oscar[/name] [name]John[/name]. We’re naming him after the [name]German[/name] side of my family in which there are a ton of Oskars, but no Oscars.