We are expecting our second boy and are liking [name_m]Finnley[/name_m] or [name_u]Finley[/name_u] as a middle name. While it is the more unpopular spelling, we are liking how [name_m]Finnley[/name_m] fits and looks with the rest of the name better. In researching the names, it seems people have some very strong opinions on [name_u]Finley[/name_u] or [name_u]Finlay[/name_u] being “correct” and [name_m]Finnley[/name_m] being a made up spelling that is “incorrect” and just a way to get to the nickname [name_u]Finn[/name_u].
What I don’t understand is all of these spellings are anglicized versions of the original Gaelic name Fionnlagh, so aren’t they all misspellings? [name_m]How[/name_m] is one more correct than another? Also, if the original name has two Ns, why isn’t [name_m]Finnley[/name_m] considered more correct?
Am I missing something? Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
We like [name_m]Finnley[/name_m] a little better, but I’ve never been one to like misspelled names. If [name_u]Finley[/name_u] is truly more correct we would consider using it instead. I just can’t find anything other than opinions on why [name_u]Finley[/name_u] is “more correct”.
Thanks for your help!
I like in the [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] and I know quite a lot of Finlays (and a couple of Finleys, and even a [name_m]Findlay[/name_m]), but I’ve never met a [name_m]Finnley[/name_m]. I think [name_u]Finlay[/name_u], in the UK, is widely accepted correct anglicised version of Fionnlagh, with [name_u]Finley[/name_u] often referred to as the American version. I don’t think [name_m]Finnley[/name_m] is necessary technically wrong, but it does look wrong, to me.
I agree with the above. Given that these are all variants of an Gaelic name, [name_m]Finnley[/name_m] isn’t necessarily less correct. The reason we don’t use it is because… that particular way of spelling just wasn’t the most common way to translate the name. Fionnlagh became [name_m]Findlay[/name_m], or [name_u]Finlay[/name_u], or [name_u]Finley[/name_u], but for whatever reason, not [name_m]Finnley[/name_m]. I can’t tell you why, and I’m sure there probably ISN’T a reason.
But just like we now use [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] instead of [name_f]Innogen[/name_f], regardless of the fact that [name_m]Finnley[/name_m] makes more sense than the other ways, it isn’t a traditional spelling. That’s because this Anglicisation happened YEARS ago, and now [name_u]Finley[/name_u]/[name_u]Finlay[/name_u] have become the mainstream. So it would be a “creative” choice to use [name_m]Finnley[/name_m]. That doesn’t mean it’s not usable or that you’d be ‘wrong’ to use it, but it isn’t a traditional way to spell the name. But it you love it, don’t let that stop you!
I don’t think it’s a matter of being correct or incorrect. The concept of a standard spelling is a very recent invention. [name_u]Finley[/name_u] and [name_u]Finlay[/name_u] just happen to be the standard spellings today in 2019.