[name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I just added [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] to our list but we are debating about the spelling. [name_f]My[/name_f] understanding is that they are both pronounced the same (rhymes with “joey”), and [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is the “correct” spelling with [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] being the phonetic spelling. I prefer [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] as I am not a fan of phonetic spellings. I’m just afraid that [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] will end up frequently pronounced wrong (as in rhymes with “joe”). Also, it looks like [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] is the preferred spelling at the moment (ranked #20 with [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] being #30). [name_f]My[/name_f] own name also has two accepted spellings and I get annoyed when my name is spelled wrong about 50% of the time. I’m afraid that no matter which spelling we pick we will be setting our daughter up for the same problem. What do the berries think? What is your preferred spelling? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think there will be pronunciation issues with [name_f]Zoe[/name_f]? Problems with spelling?
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f]'s an extremely popular name, so I’m certain you won’t have any pronunciation problems if that’s the spelling you choose. I’d be more likely to spell [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] incorrectly, as [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is the original and to my knowledge most common form of the name.
I much prefer [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] to [name_f]Zoey[/name_f]. I think whichever you choose, your child might have spelling problems (some will spell it [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] and some [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] or even [name_u]Zooey[/name_u]). If it really bothers you, keep looking.
I can’t imagine having pronunciation problems with [name_f]Zoe[/name_f]. It’s the original version of the name, and very popular in its own right, regardless of the rise of [name_f]Zoey[/name_f].
[name_f]Zoey[/name_f] looks wrong to me. The ‘y’ is superfluous.
I love [name_f]Zoe[/name_f]. There’s no way that I’d go with a tacky just to jump ten spaces on the popularity charts. There’s times I’ll consider going with the more popular spelling just because its more popular, but not over such a tiny margin.
Besides, if you spell it [name_f]Zoey[/name_f], some people will still misspell it. And some people will misspell ANY name.
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f] looks much nicer to me than [name_f]Zoey[/name_f], and it is definitely my pick between the two. If both versions are so popular I don’t think you’ll be able to avoid having it spelled incorrectly from time to time.
[name_f]Rachel[/name_f] [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] pronounces her surname [name_m]Zo[/name_m], but apart from that I’ve never heard of [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] being pronounced any other way than [name_m]Zo[/name_m]-ee regardless of spelling.
Go with [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] as it is the classic spelling versus the flavour of the month. [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] will stand the test of time and if people in this multicultural world can’t work out how to say [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] I would say they have been living under a rock.
(Sorry if I came on too strong but I really feel that it is important to go with the classic spelling.)
I really think because it is such a well-known name, you won’t have a problem with it. I have met many [name_f]Zoe[/name_f]'s and never had a problem spelling or pronouncing their names…I despise the [name_u]Zooey[/name_u] spelling lol, unless it’s pronounced Zoo-ee. I do not understand how that spelling gets the Zoh-ee sound. Anyways I think it will be fine. Good luck!
I much prefer [name_f]Zoe[/name_f]. I think that [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] may be an American thing though, I know quite a few Zoes but have never met a zoey here.
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f]. To me there is no other spelling (except to add the correct umlaut). [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] and [name_u]Zooey[/name_u] are misspellings, not alternatives.
I much prefer [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] over [name_f]Zoey[/name_f]. [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is on my long girl list. I knew one [name_f]Zoe[/name_f], she would be in her late 30s or early 40s now.
I have never known anyone named [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] or [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] or [name_u]Zooey[/name_u], and honestly I never know how they are all supposed to be pronounced. I would have the same hesitations as you, OP!
I think [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] looks better. It looks complete. [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] looks like there’s something missing from the end and although I know it’s pronounced [name_m]Zo[/name_m]-ee I’d be tempted to say [name_m]Zo[/name_m].
