I'm considering names for our 5th child (so, yes, I've done this once or twice!) and am considering a name that I'm pretty certain would tend to be misspelled when heard (it sounds like a more common name, but a name that doesn't have the same origin or meaning). I tend to think people would be able to pronounce it reasonably when it's written, but I likely give them more credit than due.
My 2yo DD is Eliana, which seems straightforward to me, but she often gets called "Elaina" when people read it. So we deal with some of that and it's not THAT big of a deal. Then I was looking at names of kids in a group we've recently joined and was surprised at a number where gender had to be indicated because it could not be implied by the name; others that were names I'd never heard before (though they may be common in other cultures); still others would likely be misspelled if heard.
And it got me wondering... What DO you worry about when choosing a name? That it be well known/unknown? Gender-specific/genderless? Easy to pronounce/original? Easy to spell/creative?
For me, meaning of the name and history behind it have been very important. This name I'm considering has that quality. I do prefer names that are "gendered" (as most are; I don't like boys names for girls, for instance) even though I don't like to push gender stereotypes. I want a name that goes well with my other children's names (and this one has the same ethnic origin). But I just can't decide if the spelling/pronunciation issues are too much. Or if adapting the spelling to the more common (but not ethnically accurate) spelling is better. One downside to that is the more common spelling is simply a more common name and associated with popular icons. I prefer names that are NOT common, but are not unheard of, either.
Oh, yes, the dizzying task of naming a person!
So, tell me about your key issues.
And it got me wondering... What DO you worry about when choosing a name? That it be well known/unknown? Gender-specific/genderless? Easy to pronounce/original? Easy to spell/creative?
For me, meaning of the name and history behind it have been very important. This name I'm considering has that quality. I do prefer names that are "gendered" (as most are; I don't like boys names for girls, for instance) even though I don't like to push gender stereotypes. I want a name that goes well with my other children's names (and this one has the same ethnic origin). But I just can't decide if the spelling/pronunciation issues are too much. Or if adapting the spelling to the more common (but not ethnically accurate) spelling is better. One downside to that is the more common spelling is simply a more common name and associated with popular icons. I prefer names that are NOT common, but are not unheard of, either.
Oh, yes, the dizzying task of naming a person!