DH and I are thinking about using my maiden name as our daughter’s first name. Kielly is pronounced just like [name_f]Kylie[/name_f]. It’s a fairly common last name where we live but I have some hesitation about choosing this name. I feel like people might assume her name is spelled the more common way when they hear it or they may misread it as [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] or [name_u]Keely[/name_u]. I’m also concerned that it might seem like a dated or trendy choice. Opinions please!
I pronounced it like [name_u]Keely[/name_u] and was going to suggest that spelling, sorry. Would you consider spelling it [name_f]Kylie[/name_f]? It would still be honouring your maiden name even if spelled differently, like using [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] to honour a [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]. [name_f]Kylie[/name_f] has been consistently ranking in the top 10 for over ten years, so it doesn’t feel dated to me, yet not trendy either since it doesn’t really fit into current trends like “elle” names or surname names or anything.
I think it’ll get pronounced [name_u]Keely[/name_u] more often than anything, but if it’s a common name where you’re from, it may be ok. I think [name_f]Kylie[/name_f], however you end up spelling it, is a lovely name that will last. And even more special as it’s your maiden name.
You are so fortunate to have a maiden name that works well as a first name! What a nice way to honour your family. You mentioned that it is a well known name where you live so initially the spelling won’t be an issue, but eventually as her world gets bigger she may have to spell it for people. Not a biggie though as many people have to do that. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if you were to change the spelling there may be a couple different ways to spell it - [name_f]Kylie[/name_f], [name_f]Kyley[/name_f], [name_f]Kyleigh[/name_f]…
While [name_f]Kylie[/name_f] and other soundalikes will probably be dated in the future, using your maiden name for your baby’s name is meaningful, classic and never dated, even if the maiden name does sound like a popular name.
I would have pronounced it [name_u]Keely[/name_u], but you are in a unique position to know how often it will be mispronounced since you lived with it as your last name. If people tended to get it right on the first try, or remembered the correct pronunciation if you corrected them once, then it’s probably fine. I think your little one would love having a pretty name that not only fits in, but is also special to her family.
I adore the idea of making your child’s first name the same as your maiden name, and I like that it is something like Kielly. However, when i first saw it i was unsure of if it was pronounced like [name_f]Kylie[/name_f] or [name_u]Keely[/name_u]. I think that Kielly is fine as a name, but I would suggest altering the spelling to something clearer, such as [name_f]Kylee[/name_f], [name_f]Kylie[/name_f], or even [name_f]Kailly[/name_f].
If you do choose to spell it as Kielly, I do not think it will be as big of a problem as you might predict. Sure, it will probably always be misspelled and possibly mispronounced the first time they meet someone/when they order at a restaurant, but after this first encounter it will probably not be a problem again.
Choose whatever your heart tells you is the best option. If that is using your maiden name with the original spelling of Kielly, or changing it to a more known spelling, I hope that you and your family are happy and healthy!
With that spelling I’d say “[name_u]Keely[/name_u]”.