Spelling of boy name

moviesprincess · May 2010

Just to preface, we are TTC but talk about names all the time. When we were on our honeymoon we found the name Rhys (like Reese) which was where my maiden named was derived from. We decided that would be our boy name but it has been brought to my attention that people would never be able to spell it right with out asking him (and my husband is adamant that he will be pronouncing it Rheez). Any thoughts?

brightning · May 2010

I know a Rhys and don't think anyone has trouble with his name.

Melaneigh1 · May 2010

I like the name, and I would spell it "Rhys."

poppyweed · May 2010

Aside from being made fun of, we tried to pick whatever name we liked, regardless of how others would assume it would be spelled. DDs name will likely be spelled improperly quite often, but we love it.

ArmyWife3 · May 2010

I agree with pp- I like it and I like the traditional spelling.

OctoberCAPA · May 2010

It's a great name. Go with Rhys, the traditional spelling. Better to correct people who are unfamiliar than look uneducated by messing up the spelling.

strangebird · May 2010

I actually know two boys with this spelling to their name. However, one pronounces his name "Reese," and one pronounces it, "Riss." If spelled Rhys, I think the majority of the people, in this country at least, will not automatically pictured it spelled Rhys. Doesn't mean it's wrong--I actually like it, but, if you don't want to have to spell your son's name for everyone, then it might be a future problem.

FYI, I have a fairly common name (at least it's common now, although it was not at all common when my mother named me it) and it is spelled in the traditional manner, but I still have to spell it for everyone. It's not terribly irritating, but be warned that it will happen.

CourtneyRDH · May 2010

I've never heard of this name. I would have guessed it was pronounced like the word rise. I would have never guessed it was pronounced like Reese.

starlight8323 · May 2010

Is it possible the boy who pronounced it "Riss" was actually from England? Not sure how it would be pronounced w/ the British accent. Maybe it varies depending on

BTW, I have English heritage, and Rhys is one of my absolute favorite boy names! Looks like it may have to be bumped to a middle name, though.

strangebird · May 2010

Eaglefoot23:
Is it possible the boy who pronounced it "Riss" was actually from England? Not sure how it would be pronounced w/ the British accent.

No, he's American. However, I think it likely came to be because his parents saw the name spelled Rhys in a baby name book and didn't know how to pronounce it, guessed a pronunciation, and liked it. Since I know his parents well, I can definitely see how this happened.

jez_girl · May 2010

strangebird:
Eaglefoot23:

Is it possible the boy who pronounced it "Riss" was actually from England? Not sure how it would be pronounced w/ the British accent.

No, he's American. However, I think it likely came to be because his parents saw the name spelled Rhys in a baby name book and didn't know how to pronounce it, guessed a pronunciation, and liked it. Since I know his parents well, I can definitely see how this happened.

Oh, wow. I can't imagine naming a child an unintentionally mispronounced name... that's a tragedy! Poor kid...

krissyh21 · May 2010

I actually always pronounced it Ryes like Rye bread since to me the hy takes on the same sound as Why. But that said, I think with this generation in particular everyone is going to have to spell out their names since there are so many spelling variations and creations.

BethPSU · May 2010

I just met a little boy named Rhys with this spelling. My cousin used this as a middle name for his little girl and my family kept saying "Rye-s" and I had to correct them. I like it and I like the spelling.

EaglesGirl65 · May 2010

I LOVE the name Rhys. Love it to death. And trying desperately to convince DH that HE loves it too. We'll see.

And don't be too worried about the spelling thing - almost everyone will be asked how to spell their name at some point. Even Sarah's will have to endure the "with or without an h". Katherine's the "with a C or a K" etc. Really as long as you don't intentionally misspell it you should be fine.

"Yeah, this is my son Reighs/Ryyce/Rhyz

Ms Molly · May 2010

I knew how to prounounce it right away, so I don't think you'll have problems with that. I think it's a nice name, but with so many little girls named Reece, it's kind of nms for a boy.

magsugar13 · May 2010

krissyh21:
I actually always pronounced it Ryes like Rye bread since to me the hy takes on the same sound as Why. But that said, I think with this generation in particular everyone is going to have to spell out their names since there are so many spelling variations and creations.

I would have pronounced it with a long I sounds as well.

sunnyday016 · May 2010

I'd say it like Reese.

Emjay221 · May 2010

I would see it and pronounce it Rice. :-( Just being honest.

hcmamm1 · May 2010

Maybe use it as mn if your dh is afraid he will have to spell it all the time.

That.Just.Happened · May 2010

I love the name Rhys! I think if you spelled it Reece it will look too feminine.

MelodyKate · May 2010

Rhys is a legitimate spelling- its not like you made it up!

PeachesNCream2010 · May 2010

I love the name Rhys, but I do agree that people may have a hard time spelling it :-(

joanithegreat · May 2010

People may need to ask how to spell it, but that isn't a big deal at all. My name is Joani (pronounce Joan-ee) and I have gotten into the habit of spelling it out for people before they can ask. Most people spell it Joni or Joanie. I love the name Rhys I say go for it.

braveangel2 · May 2010

Rhys is a learning experience - I had no idea it was spelled this way until someon posted about it last week. The Americanized version is Reece which is more intuitive, but it doesn't take much to educate people on how to say/spell it - it's short enough and doesn't have a crazy vowel set, so if you like it, keep on it on your list.

Side note: I like your screen name - we have a cinema goddess in my neck of the woods.

braveangel2 · May 2010

mj.reilly:

I don't see how anyone could get a pronunciation other than Ree-s from Rhys.

Huh...maybe you're just more in the know than I am, but when I first saw it, I read Rice. The y...like by, my, shy etc. Granted, I don't speak Welsh.

moviesprincess · May 2010

Thanks ladies! The name is back in my good graces. My husband was quite glad to hear that others liked it.

braveangel2:
Rhys is a learning experience - I had no idea it was spelled this way until someon posted about it last week. The Americanized version is Reece which is more intuitive, but it doesn't take much to educate people on how to say/spell it - it's short enough and doesn't have a crazy vowel set, so if you like it, keep on it on your list.

Side note: I like your screen name - we have a cinema goddess in my neck of the woods.

Thanks! This has my screen name forever it seems.

jallascalla · May 2010

I love the name Rhys, and I prefer this spelling. It's not a "creative" spelling, it goes back to the middle ages!

Goode517 · May 2010

Love the name but not a fan of the spelling at all!

pawcall · May 2010

you honestly can't win sometimes. My name is Caroline - people misspell and mispronounce it ALL THE TIME. I always have to spell it. It really isn't a huge deal.

ETA: My point got a little lost because I got distracted ;p

Point being, even with a super normal name (Which I think mine is), you will still encounter people who screw it up. Don't let that stop you from using a name you love.

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