Mispellings from our generations

clee2009 · February 2011

I keep reading posts about names being "mispelled" and it got me thinking of the "mispelled" names in our generation. I went to school with a Lindsay (vs. Lindsey) and my little sister is Brittney (vs. Brittany). Can you think of other names? What is your perception of these people now as adults?

I keep hearing the term "trashy" and "low class" in reference to names not spelled a certain way and was just curious what your feelings were. I don't think of the people I referenced above in a negative way and would have never given their uniquely spelled name a second thought if it wasn't for frequenting this board.

plunderb · February 2011

I went to school with a Linz (pronounced LIN-zee, no joke) and a Krystle.

ashb123 · February 2011

I'm an Ashley and often get asked how to spell my name. I've seen it spelled Ashleigh, Ashlee, Ashly, Ashlea and Ashlie before.

BlueRidge8 · February 2011

Isn't LindsAy considered the proper masculine spelling? I don't know about Brittney.

I wouldn't consider Lindsay a misspelling....and this has nothing to do with the fact that my name is Lindsay

namefanatic · February 2011

clee2009:
I keep reading posts about names being "mispelled" and it got me thinking of the "mispelled" names in our generation. I went to school with a Lindsay (vs. Lindsey) and my little sister is Brittney (vs. Brittany). Can you think of other names? What is your perception of these people now as adults?
I keep hearing the term "trashy" and "low class" in reference to names not spelled a certain way and was just curious what your feelings were. I don't think of the people I referenced above in a negative way and would have never given their uniquely spelled name a second thought if it wasn't for frequenting this board.

Agree 100%

PrncesWife · February 2011

I went to school with a Stephenie.

BelleBaby · February 2011

Stefanie vs. Stephanie

Kylee vs. Kylie (not sure what's right there though!)

krissyh21 · February 2011

I am a Kristine... oh the horror Confused

kck329 · February 2011

I'm a Kristen who went to school with several KristIn, Christin, Krystin, Chrystin...at one point there were 5 of us in one class and I went to a huge school.

stcroixbride · February 2011

I purposely named my daughter Hilarie, a lesser used but still common spelling. I just always liked that spelling better than the ones ending in -y. I would hardly consider us low-class or trashy. If others think I'm stupid or low-class because of it, that is their problem.

strangebird · February 2011

BlueRidge8:
Isn't LindsAy considered the proper masculine spelling? I don't know about Brittney.
I wouldn't consider Lindsay a misspelling....and this has nothing to do with the fact that my name is Lindsay

Yes, you are correct. Lindsay is the original spelling of both the surname and the masculine version; Lindsey is an Americanized/phonetic variant. I would consider both reasonable spellings, considering the pronunciation and not necessarily a "misspelling."

Likewise Brittany vs. Brittney. Brittany is the original masculine name, surname and place name, but it comes with a three-syllable pronunciation that doesn't fit well with American pronunciations. The Americanized/phonetic Brittney was the solution. Just as with Lindsay/Lindsey, neither one should really be considered a misspelling. Brittni/Britnee/Britneigh/etc. on the other hand? Atrocities.

Stephanie has often been misspelled Stefanie/Steffanie/Stefany/etc. That one drives me crazy, considering the names origins.

Not all spelling variants are wrong and not all of them are "trashy." Excessive use of phonetic spellings (think Emalee and Acelyn) is trashy. Spelling something in a historic fashion (think Stephen instead of Steven or Elinor instead of the more common Eleanor) is not trashy. Altering a spelling to indicate pronunciation, if done right (think Emmalyn vs. Emmeline) often makes sense and doesn't necessarily have to be trashy. There's a fine line, but it exists.

LadyXaverian · February 2011

Camryn instead of Cameron bothers me. I also met a lady today whose daughter is Kameran. Yuck.

I went to school with a Lynzee and I teach a Lynsea.

Wasn't there an actress who spelled her name Khrystyne? Yes, Khrystyne Haje.

I consider all of these "misspellings".

Qmommy · February 2011

Which one is right?

Tanya, Tonya, Tonia, Tawnya, Tanja

They're all the same name just spelled differently. My name is Tanya and have met people with all of these different spellings. I usually have to tell people "T.A." otherwise they'll use an "O".

My DD's name is Michela. People may think I 'misspelled' her name. Nope it's the Italian way to spell her name. If people think I'm stupid... go for it.

MissYouDietCoke · February 2011

strangebird:
BlueRidge8:

Not all spelling variants are wrong and not all of them are "trashy." Excessive use of phonetic spellings (think Emalee and Acelyn) is trashy. Spelling something in a historic fashion (think Stephen instead of Steven or Elinor instead of the more common Eleanor) is not trashy. Altering a spelling to indicate pronunciation, if done right (think Emmalyn vs. Emmeline) often makes sense and doesn't necessarily have to be trashy. There's a fine line, but it exists.

I agree with this.

Signed,

Aimee not Amy or Amie (none of which I consider to be 'trashy' or 'low class' spellings of this name. Dated, hello, 1978! but not trashy)

onelittlemonkey · February 2011

Gwenyth instead of Gwyneth. That one really bugs me.

sweetep15 · February 2011

Qmommy:

Which one is right?

Tanya, Tonya, Tonia, Tawnya, Tanja

They're all the same name just spelled differently. My name is Tanya and have met people with all of these different spellings. I usually have to tell people "T.A." otherwise they'll use an "O".

My DD's name is Michela. People may think I 'misspelled' her name. Nope it's the Italian way to spell her name. If people think I'm stupid... go for it.

My SIL is Tawnia.

jsimpkins17 · February 2011

I know a girl that is Lezlee (Leslie)...and also Tahlor (Taylor)

ktfletch04 · February 2011

My cousin is Stacey and hates that her mother spelled it that way. My BIL was named Nicholus by accident, was meant to be Nicholas, MIL spelled it wrong

alohamora · February 2011

MissYouDietCoke:
strangebird:
BlueRidge8:

Not all spelling variants are wrong and not all of them are "trashy." Excessive use of phonetic spellings (think Emalee and Acelyn) is trashy. Spelling something in a historic fashion (think Stephen instead of Steven or Elinor instead of the more common Eleanor) is not trashy. Altering a spelling to indicate pronunciation, if done right (think Emmalyn vs. Emmeline) often makes sense and doesn't necessarily have to be trashy. There's a fine line, but it exists.

I agree with this.

Signed,
Aimee not Amy or Amie (none of which I consider to be 'trashy' or 'low class' spellings of this name. Dated, hello, 1978! but not trashy)

Ha, I'm an Aimee too, and have the same feelings about the spelling. Although I do wish my name was the more common spelling.

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