I have a couple of questions for you! I would really like to name a son after my Polish grandfather. His name was originally [name]Stefan[/name], though he changed the spelling to [name]Stephan[/name] upon moving to [name]America[/name]. He also changed his quite Polish last name to an American name. Kind of sad, actually.
Anyway, I would like to use the original spelling, [name]Stefan[/name], pronounced “stef-un.” My husband is concerned that people are going to call him “stef-ahn/on,” which he absolutely hates. [name]Do[/name] you think we should stick with the original spelling, or maybe change it to Stefen to avoid that problem altogether?
Also, do you have any middle name suggestions? Thanks!
My Austrian friend currently living in the US and married to an american has a little boy named [name]Stefan[/name]. the pronounce it Shtef-on. We have all followed suit because of how they prounounce the name. so, some education, correction and tolerance was part of the choice when you use a name from one language/culture in another.
Thank you, Lynae. I believe you are right. I’m sure there will be some correction no matter how it is spelled. We love the name and will use it regardless of pronunciation worries.
You will have to correct people sometimes, but I think you should spell it the way you want. Once someone is corrected they usually will get it right from then on.
I would always pronounce [name]Stephen[/name] as Ste-vuhn rather than [name]Stef[/name]-un anyway! I think [name]Stefan[/name] is adorable and I’m surprised it’s not more popular.
Thanks, ladies! I’m feeling better about it already. What do you think for a mn? I’d like it to help [name]Stefan[/name] flow/fit with our other names. I like old clunkers, but I’m having a hard time finding one that works.
Middles: if it’s too heavily Polish I’ll understand, but I love the name [name]Laszlo[/name] and maybe it would keep honoring the Polish roots? [name]Stefan[/name] [name]Laszlo[/name] sounds really good to me.
Other old clunkers that sort of feel European to mee…
I wouldn’t change the spelling…I agree with other posters that hopefully a correction now and then is all you’ll have to deal with. I think [name]Stefan[/name] is a wonderful name. I actually have it on my long list, and my absolute favorite [name]Stefan[/name] combo is [name]Stefan[/name] [name]Barnaby[/name] [name]Jude[/name]. I don’t know if you’re into two middles, and I probably won’t use two middles when I name my children, but for some reason I love this triple combo.
Congratulations and best wishes!
I would pronounce [name]Stefan[/name] the way you are. I think you’ll encounter some pronunciation confusion regardless of how you spell it. If you weren’t already using your grandfather’s first name, I would highly recommend reviving his Polish last name in the middle spot. Other than that I don’t have any suggestions.
Thank you for all the replies and suggestions. I like alot of the mn suggestions. And I would [name]LOVE[/name] to revive the Polish surname, but my husband really doesn’t like the idea of Slawinski as a middle! Also, I’m so glad other people like the name, as I’ve gotten a few raised eyebrows in real life!
I thought it was [name]Stef[/name]-AHN at first but I see you’re after [name]STEF[/name]-en. You will probably have to correct people a bit but you get that with a lot of names. I have a little boy named Zephan, prn ZEF-en (it’s a short form of [name]Zephaniah[/name]), and I get Zef-AHN occasionally. Sometimes in situations where I won’t have time to explain the pronunciation I just write Zephen, and most people who have to guess the spelling write two Es. I might have changed the spelling, if I had known before he was born, but my husband disagrees and thinks it’s ugly with two Es. Since you want to honor your grandfather I think I would keep his spelling, regardless of having to occasionally correct people.
For middle names, maybe you could choose a name from your husband’s side of the family.
My [name]Matthias[/name] (ma-thigh-us) is frequently mispronounced (ma-tie-us or math-is) and misunderstood (messiah). What kind of heretic do people think I am? Yet it is worth it to have a name that I adore and is distinct. Brace yourself and take the plunge!
That is interesting about Zephan… I don’t think I would ever consider it zef-ahn. You wouldn’t pronounce [name]Evan[/name] ev-ahn.
I cannot believe people think [name]Matthias[/name] is [name]Messiah[/name]! [name]How[/name] crazy. We’ve considered [name]Matthias[/name], as well, its a handsome name. A close friend of ours named her son that, so its out of the question for us.
