See the results of this poll: Which spelling?
Respondents: 28 (This poll is closed)
- Abernethy : 2 (7%)
- Abernathy: 26 (93%)
Abernathy. That’s so weird it’s not technically a name. I feel like I’ve heard it or read it. [name_u]Haven[/name_u]'t read that book (adding it to my list though, so thanks), so where have I heard it? Anyway, I’d go with the version you feel connected to. I also just like that spelling better.
I know someone with this as a last name, but it is spelled Abernethy (pronounced like Abernathy, though). Honestly, though, I think it’s probably uncommon enough that it isn’t familiar to most people, as a surname or otherwise, so you can easily get away with spelling it however you want. Abernathy is really more straight-forward for pronunciation anyway. I think the special meaning behind it is another reason to keep that spelling. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if the E spelling is supposedly the “original” spelling, it’s not if the origin of the name for YOU is the character from that book.
P.S. - Spell checker on my computer is putting squiggly red lines under Abernethy, but not Abernathy…so, for what it’s worth, my compy votes for the spelling with the A!
I know [name_f]Fey[/name_f]! I swore I’d heard it elsewhere but google doesn’t really bring much up for it. It’s weird. And I love those books. If you’ve ever read [name_m]Brooks[/name_m] Shannara books, these are completely different. They’re much more light hearted and magical. It’s about a man whose wife and child die and he sees a magical kingdom for sale in a magazine so he answers the ad. The first book is Magical Kingdom for Sale – Sold!
Thanks for the input, both of you. It’s good to get some reassurance since the only name on my list with an alternate spelling is [name_m]Damien[/name_m] and [name_f]Sylvana[/name_f].
[name_u]Read[/name_u] the Shannara books, and I’m looking forward to reading this one. It sounds fun!
I have not read the books, however I too get a familiar feeling from the name Abernathy, which I do not get with Abernethy.
I would definitely use that which has most meaning for you (Abernathy), regardless of which is the ‘original’ spelling.
It’s not like it’s a spelling you just made up!!!
I just realised where I recognise Abernathy from - Haymitch Abernathy from The Hunger Games. I have never read the books, so it must have been mentioned in the movies, or else I’ve heard someone else reference it.
I know a family with the surname Abernathy, so the “A” seems more correct to me.
I’m not familiar with that book; will have to add it to the list. (Which means I’ll probably get to it sometime in 2020 or so. :P)
I can’t believe this didn’t click with me, I just saw the movie two days ago! LOL!
I never even knew that was Haymitch’s last name. O_O
Abernathy is also a place, I think? does the google apparently in [name_u]Texas[/name_u]. Also, “Abernathy [name_m]Field[/name_m] Station is a 57-acre (231,000 m2) outdoor ecology classroom” in Pennsylvania (thanks, wikipedia)
I actually like that it’s an outdoor ecology classroom. That’s neat. 
I have been reassured! I’ll use Abernathy. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though it’s a character in a book, it makes me think of my mom (just like [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] makes me think of my mom because of [name_f]Laura[/name_f] Ingalls [name_m]Wilder[/name_m]) and it was a book my mom loved and I shared with her.
Thanks everyone