Name Question Already

AJ2AR · August 2013

I know I am crazy and this is probably to soon to post this, but I already have a name question. I am convinced that I am having a boy, but don't get me wrong we will genuinely be happy with either a boy or a girl. So we decided on a boys name last night, Callahan. My question is about spelling. Callahan is the most obvious spelling, but I love it spelled Callaghan. I know people will not always get the spelling correct with the 'g', but unfortunately my girls names are never spelled correctly either so I am use to it. My main concern is that if it spelled differently people will not know how to say it properly. My oldest daughter's name is Analysse, to many option in the name that people can not properly spell it. My second daughter's name is Arya. I liked the 'y' to go with my oldest's name more, so that is always wrong as well. My husband won't have an opinion on the spelling so I was hoping for some input.

clo1982 · August 2013

AJ2AR said:

I know I am crazy and this is probably to soon to post this, but I already have a name question. I am convinced that I am having a boy, but don't get me wrong we will genuinely be happy with either a boy or a girl. So we decided on a boys name last night, Callahan. My question is about spelling. Callahan is the most obvious spelling, but I love it spelled Callaghan. I know people will not always get the spelling correct with the 'g', but unfortunately my girls names are never spelled correctly either so I am use to it. My main concern is that if it spelled differently people will not know how to say it properly. My oldest daughter's name is Analysse, to many option in the name that people can not properly spell it. My second daughter's name is Arya. I liked the 'y' to go with my oldest's name more, so that is always wrong as well. My husband won't have an opinion on the spelling so I was hoping for some input.

I have two teachers in my immediate family and their constant complaint is when kids have 'different' spellings. I'm definitely one for a traditional spelling because honestly, it really doesn't do anything to have a weird-ly spelled name other than make your kid have to constanly correct people who mispronounce it. I know that sounds kinda mean. When I see Callahan, I can pronounce it based on the spelling. When I see Callaghan, it immediately turns to cal-a-gan. Obviously, not how it is pronounced but why complicate something that doesn't need complicated. Who knows maybe I'm just a simple person! Ultimately though it's your kid...your call!

ring_pop · August 2013

I look at Callaghan and pronounce it "Cal-a-gan" in my head. Name your kid whatever you want but realize that you might get annoyed having to correct people all the time (which you already know from your daughters).

PerkyErky · August 2013

I am a traditionalist when it comes to spelling. I personally do not like "unique" spellings. Callahan is how I would spell it and it will also get pronounced correctly. Just my two cents. Ultimately it's you who gets to decide

kelley72 · August 2013

do your son a favor and name him Callahan... great name

TradeMama · August 2013

I would pronounce it wrong if I saw it spelled with a g.

springbaby03 · August 2013

Sorry I immediately knew and pronounced Callahan. The second spelling makes me not so confident about how to say it. Great name though.

SmittyPants · August 2013

Yeah, I really don't think you can get annoyed at people spelling your child's name incorrectly when you use the wrong spelling in the first place. That said, Callahan and Callaghan are both legitimate spellings of the surname.

Also, you people need to brush up on your Irish. You'd never pronounce the "g" in Callaghan. ;-)

kmeyers0611 · August 2013

I agree with PPs about the spelling. Unless you were in Ireland or Scotland, the spelling would always be an issue.

Now that Game of Thrones is so popular though, maybe your daughter Arya won't have such a tough time though

That's how her name is spelled in the books!

AJ2AR · August 2013

Thank you ladies. I figured there were so many teachers out there that there would be a helpful opinion out there. I never thought my first two kids' names would turn out to be so complicated, but you can't win them all. And I have no clue about the way Irish names are spelled. I am polish.

I also had no clue The Game Of Thrones had an Arya in there, I originally found it from the movie Eragon. Interesting. Thank you again! It is nice to clear my thoughts with objective opinions.

lnvane00 · August 2013

I like the name! But my vote is with No 'G'

lwebley · August 2013

I'm a teacher, so I see lots of names with unique spellings. It may be easier on him if it's spelled without the g

kroot87 · August 2013

I love the name! I vote no 'g' also.. You'll get lots of mispronunciations otherwise.

HobokensFury · August 2013

I have a very Irish name with the traditional Irish spelling. Let me tell you it was a horror growing up. It took me until college to come to terms with the sound of my name and spelling not matching. Do your kid a favor- drop the G.

Candileigh03 · August 2013

Drop the g

BabiesFTW · August 2013

I'd leave out the g for simplicity.
It kinda reminds me or Tommy Callahan but that's probably just me.

cierravictoria · August 2013

That's our dog's name

beautifuldreamer1234 · August 2013

Nice name, but I would definitely leave out the g. I have an unusual name and have hated spelling it. As a result I long to give my child a traditional and easy to spell name.

lindsey1031 · August 2013

I personally like it without the g, but know of last names spelled with the g. As a Kindergarten teacher, I teach kids how to spell their own names often and always make a point to get it right, in spelling and pronunciation. It doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't bother the kid. If you choose to go with the g in it, you may want to be sure that you pronounce the name for future teachers/babysitters to avoid this confusion. Go with what you like.

Want a personalized experience?

Name Question Already

Re: Name Question Already

Choose Another Board

Search Boards