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Baby Names
Mamaofthesea
member
Rhys-Concerns about spelling
Mamaofthesea
member
in Baby Names
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I think DH and I are close to deciding that this baby's name will be Rhys (middle name undecided). We much prefer this traditional Welsh spelling over the americanized spelling (Reece). Based on previous posts I've read regarding this name, it seems the consensus on this board is that Rhys is the preferred spelling for you ladies as well. However, now that I'm getting pretty close to deciding it will be my son's name, I am starting to really think it through and I have a couple little concerns I was hoping I could put out there for you all to respond to.
First, do you think people who are unaware this is the traditional, legitimate spelling of this name (probably most people IRL) will think we were just trying to be ?you-neek? because it's such an odd spelling and has the tell-tale, trendy "y" in it? Should I care?
Second, do you think the spelling will cause my son problems throughout his life with people constantly misspelling and/or mispronouncing his name? In this case, should this influence my decision since Rhys is actually a legitimate spelling and not made up?
Maybe I?ve just spent too much time on this board and am over thinking it! But both of the above issues seem to apply when someone proposes a made-up and/or misspelled name, and so I just wonder how you all think they apply when it?s a legitimate and correctly (albeit oddly) spelling name.
The thing is, I'm not sure I like the name as much when it's spelled Reece. I know it sounds the same when you say it, but I guess I would just always feel like I wasn't spelling it correctly and that would bother me. Plus, both the Reece and Reese spellings, when I see them, remind me of candy, whereas Rhys reminds me of a spunky little boy.
ETA: I have no idea what is up with the formatting. Sorry!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Rhys-Concerns about spelling
First, do you think people who are unaware this is the traditional, legitimate spelling of this name (probably most people IRL) will think we were just trying to be ?you-neek? because it's such an odd spelling and has the tell-tale, trendy "y" in it? Should I care?
I didn't know this was the traditional way to spell "Reece/Reese."
Second, do you think the spelling will cause my son problems throughout his life with people constantly misspelling and/or mispronouncing his name? In this case, should this influence my decision since Rhys is actually a legitimate spelling and not made up?
Yes, people will misspell and mispronounce it. I thought it was "Rice" because that's how it could be pronounced phonetically. I have a very common last name that can be spelled two ways and people always spell it wrong- has been a headache for my husband for years.
Bottom line: if you love it, use it!
I had no idea how to say this. pronounced it "Rice". But maybe I am the only one that didn't know that this was the way you spell "Reese"...I always thought of "Reese" as a girls name. But it sounds like it is becoming both a popular spelling and name for a boy...so people will probably be familiar with it. I suppose it isn't bad for a boy. Not a fan of the spelling. Good luck deciding!
Rhys is my son's middle name and I love it. I love the traditional spelling and the meaning of "fiery." I think the traditional spelling is super masculine (yes, despite the "y") and I hate hate hate seeing it on girls, lol.
I think people recognize it from celebrities such as Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Rhys Darby, and are therefore familiar with the pronunciation. The only person who has pronounced it "Rice" was my grandma.
If you love it, go for it! It's a wonderful name.
This is exactly what I'm worried about! By "traditional" I mean that the american name Reece/Reese is a variant of the Welsh name Rhys, which has been around a lot longer.
Reese is the way the name is often spelled when it is used for a girl. However, like so many names these days, the name is traditionally a male name that is now being used on girls.
Interesting. I've never heard that the name meant "fiery." Everything I've read says that it means "enthusiasm." Either way, I like it!
Glad to hear that most people know how to pronounce your son's name! That makes me feel a little better. I get irritated when I hear it on girls, too. I get irritated when almost any boy name is used for a girl mainly because I feel like it means those names can no longer be used (correctly) for boys because then people will mistake them for girls!
I don't post on this board too often but I do love reading the different names that people suggest. I also love the name Rhys. It was a close second for DS #2, but it came down to the spelling. I love the sound of the name, and I like it spelled "Rhys", DH couldn't get on board with the spelling and so it was nixed from our list and we are going with Henry.
I do think it will get misspelled by people, aside from this board, and the actor (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) I have never seen it spelled the traditional way. But who's to say over time it wont be a more mainstreamed way of spelling.
I'd spell it Rhys regardless, unless I was naming a girl. Just a matter of preference for me, though I wouldn't really think twice about a man named "Reese/Reece."
Either way I think you are a bit too worried about what other people think whether they are the baby name gurus or the clueless and trendy.
I love this name (it's DS's mn as well but DH chose the spelling). I first heard it from the actor as well (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) so when I first heard it I saw this spelling first.
I don't think the spelling so so crazy that everyone he meets will call him Rice. I think Rhys is becoming a more known name (not necessarily popular).
My name is always misspelled and I stopped caring a long time ago. If it needs to be spelled right then I spell it, if not I let people write down whatever they want. I could care less. And I'm sure a boy would care even less.
Started fertility treatments 11/2010
Ovarian dysfunction, LPD, male factor
6 failed medicated IUI's
Pregnant 5/2011 - Miscarriage at 6 weeks due to triploidy
Decided to adopt - 6/2012
SURPRISE! Pregnant without intervention - 7/2012
Sweet Baby James Born 3/2013
Decided to be "One and Done"
....OR NOT.
Pregnant 12/2018 despite birth control pills
Here we go again...
Due 8/26/19!
Well, I think it's entirely appropriate to consider what other people will think of my kid's name and spelling, not because I care what they think of me, but because my son will have to live with the name the rest of his life and I want to get a feel for what people think about the spelling. I don't ever want my son to wonder why the heck his parents would give him such a strangely spelled name.Though I'm glad to hear you don't think it's is something I should be worried about.
People mispronounce my DD's name all the time. I didn't visit this board before I named her, and it didn't even cross my mind that people would so frequently mispronounce it because I had only ever heard her name pronounced one way. While it's not a big deal for me to correct people, I do sometimes worry that she will get sick of spelling and pronouncing her name for everyone once she starts school and then for the rest of her life.
It's a good suggestion. We actually had Reid on our short list as well, and at first I liked it a lot more than Rhys. But then DH and I went through the exercise of calling the baby by each of the names on our short list for about 5 days each. And it was really weird because neither of us felt like Reid fit our baby. It felt cold to us, or something, like it didn't "belong" to our kid.
Rhys was the last name on the list we tried out, and before then DH liked it a lot more than I did. But once I started calling the baby Rhys is just felt "right." And of all the names we've considered it's the only one that when I hear the name on another kid or see it written somewhere (the Rhys spelling only) the first thought that goes through my mind is, "Hey, that's my son's name," even though we haven't officially made up our mind yet. It's just this gut reaction.
On paper, Reid would be a better fit for me because it is a scottish surname and my maiden name is scottish. And way back in my family tree I have a relative (woman) who had the maiden name Reid. But I can't explain why it didn't feel right ?
ETA: I actually still love the name Reid. And I really like it on other people's kids. It just didn't seem right for our kid.
Then, you should definitely trust your gut and go with Rhys. It's a good name and I personally like the spelling, even if some may have trouble pronouncing it. Good luck!