Another thought. I am horrible about typos, am not a grammar whiz, and Autocorrect is an evil bitch, so please take this as mere observational humor and not a dig at anyone. It amuses me to no end to see spelling and grammar errors in posts describing why correct spelling and grammar matter.
Like "Right up a resume and Put the names in. Look silly? Uneducated?"
I guess I should clarify, I don't have a problem with people disliking my name choices. In fact that doesn't bother me. What I find unhelpful is a comment that could be misconstrued to something that it isn't. For example I've genuinely appreciated all the links to the studies about names an socioeconomic status, I found them very educational. I wasn't trying to bash the other board that I posted this in either, I really just wanted to hear from both the name board and birth month board to see if the opinion was universal or if I was just being overly sensitive-- (this happens on occasion) to also clarify I am on the younger side, so I suppose that I didn't realize some of the correlations you've all told me about and I do truly, appreciate constructive criticism.
I like them both i guess because I'm choosing to spell Gina a non traditional way so i say go with what you feel btw I'm spelling my child's name Jena
To me Gina and Jena are not pronounced the same way and this isn't a non traditional spelling, these are different names. Your child is going to spend her entire life correcting people's pronunciation of her name.
Genuine question, why can names not just be spelled correctly, why is changing the spelling trendy these days? I don't get it.
Real answer to the question - language evolves and spellings change over time. However, this typically results from cultures that previously had no relationship with each other meeting and beginning to meld traditions in various ways. One of these ways is by picking up new words and phrases. English is actually a wonderful example of this. It was originally Germanic and evolved over the years into the hodge podge it is today. Try reading Beowulf, Chaucer, or even Shakespeare in their original forms to see how much English language and spelling conventions have changed over time. That said, trying to achieve special snowflake status has not historically had an affect on grammar and spelling although it has on language.
Thanks
I get that the spelling of names change as language changes, but that's not the same as purposely spelling names wrong just to be different. I do think this has become more and more popular in recent years. When I was at school many many years ago we only had one girl with a name spelled in an 'unique' way. Her name was Leica pronounced Lisa. No one ever pronounced it Lisa on a first attempt. Now, soooo many kids have 'unique' names and I just don't get it. If it's pronounced Lisa, why is it not spelled Lisa? Not meant to be a criticism, I just don't understand why.
I am all about wanting a unique name for your child. I get it. As somebody with one of - if not the most - popular names for girls born in my decade, I relate to that desire on a deep level. I don't think misspelling an established name is the right way to do it, though. It will be pronounced the same no matter how you spell it. I would go with the traditional spellings: Riley Cecilia or Harper Charlie (of which, my preferred combination is Harper Charlie -- I love Cecilia, but not so much to follow Riley. Harper Charlie has a better flow, imo).
I think if you had read any of the posts on the Baby Names board, you would realize that the regulars are not fans of creative spelling of names or boy names for girls, and you would have decided not to post. This is why it is good board etiquette (and reading the sticky posts) to lurk on at least a few posts before making a post on a board. You could have saved yourself a lot of grief. People who just barrel in and post asking for opinions are going to get burned if they don't know what they're getting into.
Also, just because a name appears on a website, does not mean it is a traditional name. Chances are, Rylee is listed as an alternate spelling, because it's just that, an alternate spelling to a traditional name. As someone who has an alternate spelling to a traditional name, I can tell you that it is obnoxious to have my name spelled wrong on EVERYTHING, even when people reply to an email that I have written them, with my name in the signature and my name as my email address.
Well I did actually read some of the posts, but decided to try my luck and post my name choices anyway-- mainly because I'm not particularly sure why the traditional versus non-traditional way of spelling something is so important. However upon seeing all the helpful information I've now been receiving I'm getting a better understanding of the issue and reasons behind it.
I think both are cute. And you can spell a name however you choose!! I have chosen the name Sawyer for my baby boy or girl, and I get a lot of negative "but that's a boys name, dont use it for a girl" but I love it and I think it fits in well with our family. I think baby names are a lot like pregnancy and if you don't have anything nice to say, its best to keep your comments to yourself. Good luck!!!
I am on team traditional spelling! I do love your name choices but think they would be better if spelled traditionally. I especially love the name Harper!
I have helped with hiring, and if therequired were 2 applicants with similar qualifications, but one had a unique or misspelled names, the other applicant got a call first.
Whether or not it is fair, people make judgements off of a name. I think Riley is a fine name, but I would not recommend Rylee. My first impression of Rylee, is someone who is very young and not well educated, due to the disreguard for proper English. If you notice you have not gotten a lot of support for the spelling variations. These are the people that will be hiring your child, or reviewing their college application.
My name is Tayla, Tay-la...just like it's spelled and still to this day people can't get it right. I get Taylor, Tyler, Kayla, among other things. It doesn't really bother me correcting them. I like that my name isn't common, or at least wasn't growing up. I've never met another Tayla my age. It wasn't until recently I met my first Tayla and she was a child. I personally don't mind spelling a name a little bit different, however there's an extent to that. If you can't pronounce it at all, like that "Lisa" example...then there's a problem and I would HATE my mother forever and change my name probably as soon as possible. The double e doesn't bother me, as you can easily still pronounce it. But that's just me. I have to say though I think Harper is a beautiful name and the spelling is just fine the way it is. I find all the added links and information are very helpful in choosing something permanent. Good luck OP.
I like them both i guess because I'm choosing to spell Gina a non traditional way so i say go with what you feel btw I'm spelling my child's name Jena
I am going to go out on a limb and say you aren't Italian. Although, you don't have to be Italian to name your daughter Gina, no Italian I know would ever name their daughter Jena. I don't know what Jena is. But I can tell you that I am full blooded Italian and Jena is not Gina imho.
I think that the way you've spelled the names are pretty common nowadays and so it doesn't bother me. I have a 16 year-old cousin named Rylee so that spelling has been around for awhile.
This seems to be an unpopular opinion, buuuuuut I don't like the name Harper. I'm sorry! I just associate the name with the term "harp" or "harping" as in, "quit harping on me about [insert chore here]". I think your other name choices are lovely, but would go with Cecelia Charlee or Charlee Cecelia.
I think it's good to have a name that can translate into adulthood. My nickname as a child was very cute and everyone loved it, but as an adult it could be considered slutty.
I love Riley for a boy or a girl. It was one of our top picks for a gender neutral name, however, I agree that the ee could come off the wrong way as an adult. Too often my husband's friends tell me what they consider to be slutty names and that -ee is almost always one of the first mentioned.
I also think Charlie is a unique and cute name for a girl without the double -ee.
I like them both i guess because I'm choosing to spell Gina a non traditional way so i say go with what you feel btw I'm spelling my child's name Jena
I am going to go out on a limb and say you aren't Italian. Although, you don't have to be Italian to name your daughter Gina, no Italian I know would ever name their daughter Jena. I don't know what Jena is. But I can tell you that I am full blooded Italian and Jena is not Gina imho.
This. Jena strikes me as a variation of Jenna (first syllable rhymes with "hen"), which is a completely different name than Gina (first syllable rhymes with "lean").
I like them both i guess because I'm choosing to spell Gina a non traditional way so i say go with what you feel btw I'm spelling my child's name Jena
To me Gina and Jena are not pronounced the same way and this isn't a non traditional spelling, these are different names. Your child is going to spend her entire life correcting people's pronunciation of her name.
Genuine question, why can names not just be spelled correctly, why is changing the spelling trendy these days? I don't get it.
Real answer to the question - language evolves and spellings change over time. However, this typically results from cultures that previously had no relationship with each other meeting and beginning to meld traditions in various ways. One of these ways is by picking up new words and phrases. English is actually a wonderful example of this. It was originally Germanic and evolved over the years into the hodge podge it is today. Try reading Beowulf, Chaucer, or even Shakespeare in their original forms to see how much English language and spelling conventions have changed over time. That said, trying to achieve special snowflake status has not historically had an affect on grammar and spelling although it has on language.
Thanks
I get that the spelling of names change as language changes, but that's not the same as purposely spelling names wrong just to be different. I do think this has become more and more popular in recent years. When I was at school many many years ago we only had one girl with a name spelled in an 'unique' way. Her name was Leica pronounced Lisa. No one ever pronounced it Lisa on a first attempt. Now, soooo many kids have 'unique' names and I just don't get it. If it's pronounced Lisa, why is it not spelled Lisa? Not meant to be a
First since I'm Haitian and Jena is pronounced Gina in my language since its my mother's name i think i will stick to the spelling especially since it rhymes with my SO mother's name which is Rena
Yeah, I'm another person with a variant spelling (though only one letter, it changes the pronunciation) it is annoying as all get out. No body knows how to pronounce my name, nobody can spell my name. It doesn't make me cuter or more special, it just creates hassle for me.
So. Stick to the traditional spellings.
Also, I'm going to vote for Harper Cecilia. I am so over Charlie,Charlee,Charleigh,Charlay,Charley, it's just, ugh. And almost everyone using claims they want to be different, and poor little however you spell it is going to be stuck with a masculine nickname as her full name her whole life. At least give the poor girl a full name, either accept that you are using a masculine name or ovary up.
Sorry for the side vent. But I have seen each and every one of those spellings mentioned on the various BMBs.
Yeah, I'm another person with a variant spelling (though only one letter, it changes the pronunciation) it is annoying as all get out. No body knows how to pronounce my name, nobody can spell my name. It doesn't make me cuter or more special, it just creates hassle for me.
So. Stick to the traditional spellings.
Also, I'm going to vote for Harper Cecilia. I am so over Charlie,Charlee,Charleigh,Charlay,Charley, it's just, ugh. And almost everyone using claims they want to be different, and poor little however you spell it is going to be stuck with a masculine nickname as her full name her whole life. At least give the poor girl a full name, either accept that you are using a masculine name or ovary up.
Sorry for the side vent. But I have seen each and every one of those spellings mentioned on the various BMBs.
I don't mind Charlie terribly, but I have to agree here in that it is not traditionally a full name (no matter how it's spelled). Charlotte is a lovely name, I think it would work well with Harper, and you could still shorten it to Charlie for a nn if you so desired.
I think both are cute. And you can spell a name however you choose!! I have chosen the name Sawyer for my baby boy or girl, and I get a lot of negative "but that's a boys name, dont use it for a girl" but I love it and I think it fits in well with our family. I think baby names are a lot like pregnancy and if you don't have anything nice to say, its best to keep your comments to yourself. Good luck!!!
I love the name Sawyer for a girl!! I have a friend who named her daughter Peyton Sawyer. It works as a first or middle name in my opinion.
Yeah, I'm another person with a variant spelling (though only one letter, it changes the pronunciation) it is annoying as all get out. No body knows how to pronounce my name, nobody can spell my name. It doesn't make me cuter or more special, it just creates hassle for me.
So. Stick to the traditional spellings.
Also, I'm going to vote for Harper Cecilia. I am so over Charlie,Charlee,Charleigh,Charlay,Charley, it's just, ugh. And almost everyone using claims they want to be different, and poor little however you spell it is going to be stuck with a masculine nickname as her full name her whole life. At least give the poor girl a full name, either accept that you are using a masculine name or ovary up.
Sorry for the side vent. But I have seen each and every one of those spellings mentioned on the various BMBs.
My MIL got creative with my DH name, you can still read it, but it is a pain in the ass. People constantly misspell his name in emails, he has to spell it for everyone. We spent months trying to get his name corrected with the electric company.
As someone who has a funky name (Jensen) I'm all about unique names that you don't hear often. I am giving my daughter an out-of-the-ordinary name that's currently 9 in a million. However, I'm on board with everyone else and can't stand the "-ee" trend, or "-ynn," for that matter. I feel like it lacks panache and ironically the individuality the parent is trying to achieve. If everyone is doing it it isn't special anymore, y'know?
I think both are cute. And you can spell a name however you choose!! I have chosen the name Sawyer for my baby boy or girl, and I get a lot of negative "but that's a boys name, dont use it for a girl" but I love it and I think it fits in well with our family. I think baby names are a lot like pregnancy and if you don't have anything nice to say, its best to keep your comments to yourself. Good luck!!!
I love the name Sawyer for a girl!! I have a friend who named her daughter Peyton Sawyer. It works as a first or middle name in my opinion.
As someone who has a funky name (Jensen) I'm all about unique names that you don't hear often. I am giving my daughter an out-of-the-ordinary name that's currently 9 in a million. However, I'm on board with everyone else and can't stand the "-ee" trend, or "-ynn," for that matter. I feel like it lacks panache and ironically the individuality the parent is trying to achieve. If everyone is doing it it isn't special anymore, y'know?
I agree there is a huge difference between having an uncommon name and having a "youneek" spelling. It's also waaaaay to trendy for my taste to spell names using "ee" or "lynn" where the common spelling doesn't call for it. If you want something different look at the SS website for names out of the top 100.
Also, OP, you mentioned you were young. If you're going to use the name Harper, please make sure you've read "To Kill a Mockingbird". You will have people asking you if you've read it after you name your child after the author.
@Abrink63 you beat me to it. I was just about to post when I saw yours.
I like Riley, Harper and Cecilia. Not a fan of Charlie. I agree on spelling and using the tradition spelling. I don't mind uncommon names. Off the wall names and misspelled drive me crazy personally.
As someone who has a funky name (Jensen) I'm all about unique names that you don't hear often. I am giving my daughter an out-of-the-ordinary name that's currently 9 in a million. However, I'm on board with everyone else and can't stand the "-ee" trend, or "-ynn," for that matter. I feel like it lacks panache and ironically the individuality the parent is trying to achieve. If everyone is doing it it isn't special anymore, y'know?
I love love love your name!!!! That was actually on our list. We went with another out of the ordinary name but I still love it and may eventually use it.
I like them both i guess because I'm choosing to spell Gina a non traditional way so i say go with what you feel btw I'm spelling my child's name Jena
To me Gina and Jena are not pronounced the same way and this isn't a non traditional spelling, these are different names. Your child is going to spend her entire life correcting people's pronunciation of her name.
Genuine question, why can names not just be spelled correctly, why is changing the spelling trendy these days? I don't get it.
Real answer to the question - language evolves and spellings change over time. However, this typically results from cultures that previously had no relationship with each other meeting and beginning to meld traditions in various ways. One of these ways is by picking up new words and phrases. English is actually a wonderful example of this. It was originally Germanic and evolved over the years into the hodge podge it is today. Try reading Beowulf, Chaucer, or even Shakespeare in their original forms to see how much English language and spelling conventions have changed over time. That said, trying to achieve special snowflake status has not historically had an affect on grammar and spelling although it has on language.
Thanks
I get that the spelling of names change as language changes, but that's not the same as purposely spelling names wrong just to be different. I do think this has become more and more popular in recent years. When I was at school many many years ago we only had one girl with a name spelled in an 'unique' way. Her name was Leica pronounced Lisa. No one ever pronounced it Lisa on a first attempt. Now, soooo many kids have 'unique' names and I just don't get it. If it's pronounced Lisa, why is it not spelled Lisa? Not meant to be a
First since I'm Haitian and Jena is pronounced Gina in my language since its my mother's name i think i will stick to the spelling especially since it rhymes with my SO mother's name which is Rena
Your kid, your choice. I still think the vast majority of the English speaking world will pronounce it wrong her whole life however.
As someone who has a funky name (Jensen) I'm all about unique names that you don't hear often. I am giving my daughter an out-of-the-ordinary name that's currently 9 in a million. However, I'm on board with everyone else and can't stand the "-ee" trend, or "-ynn," for that matter. I feel like it lacks panache and ironically the individuality the parent is trying to achieve. If everyone is doing it it isn't special anymore, y'know?
"ynn" is my biggest pet peeve on names. I don't understand the extra n. I think it's because my middle name is Lyn and everyone wants to spell it Lynn.
I think both are cute. And you can spell a name however you choose!! I have chosen the name Sawyer for my baby boy or girl, and I get a lot of negative "but that's a boys name, dont use it for a girl" but I love it and I think it fits in well with our family. I think baby names are a lot like pregnancy and if you don't have anything nice to say, its best to keep your comments to yourself. Good luck!!!
I love the name Sawyer for a girl!! I have a friend who named her daughter Peyton Sawyer. It works as a first or middle name in my opinion.
As someone who has a funky name (Jensen) I'm all about unique names that you don't hear often. I am giving my daughter an out-of-the-ordinary name that's currently 9 in a million. However, I'm on board with everyone else and can't stand the "-ee" trend, or "-ynn," for that matter. I feel like it lacks panache and ironically the individuality the parent is trying to achieve. If everyone is doing it it isn't special anymore, y'know?
I agree there is a huge difference between having an uncommon name and having a "youneek" spelling. It's also waaaaay to trendy for my taste to spell names using "ee" or "lynn" where the common spelling doesn't call for it. If you want something different look at the SS website for names out of the top 100.
Also, OP, you mentioned you were young. If you're going to use the name Harper, please make sure you've read "To Kill a Mockingbird". You will have people asking you if you've read it after you name your child after the author.
I read to kill a mocking bird my freshman year of high school and loved it! I'm in my senior year of college and I still pick it up to read it on occasion, such a good book
I like rylee and happen to think Riley is more of a Manley way to spell it where as rylee is more feminine maybe im different I honestly don't think U should even care about what everyone else thinks it's your child and U can spell it however U like!! And either way Riley rylee or Charlie and Charlee are both obvious names so if people cNt read then that's not your problem Either!
You can spell your kids name however you want... I unlike a lot of people commenting really do like the name rylee... a lot of people now days are really going towards unique names. So I think whatever you want to name your child go for it! And anybody who doesn't like it can suck it!!
Bit of a random fact, the name Imogen (which is one of our girls names- we are team green) actually derives from a misspelling. The name was originally "Innogen". Lots of people hold Shakespeare responsible for the misspelling but for some reason, Imogen just took off.
If you're going to play around with spellings, I think it's a bit better for middle names. My only opinion is that I like to know name meanings. I've picked my children's names knowing what they mean and that's important to me. Variations to spellings can affect that.
Anyway, I'm in the UK and name popularity is pretty different here. I only know 2 Riley's and they're both boys. I've never met a harper, but I think it's a nice name!
Imogen was on my girl name list as well - it's so lovely. I think of a woman named Imogen as very sophisticated.
I think it really depends on where you're from too. I live in an area with a large Mennonite and Amish population, so I wouldn't want to name my child anything too plain. I love Charlee and Cecelia. I don't like Riley or Rilee for a girl name, but that's my personal preference! I have a fairly unique name (Sonja) that people spelled wrong my whole life, but my sister had a far harder time learning how to Elizabeth than I had trying to learn 5 letters. As far as getting jobs and such, there's so many other factors as far as who you know and what your child wants to do.. I'd be interested to see how they did the study. If they did that study in the city nearest me, most of the people who are lower socioeconomic status are of different ethnicity and tend to have differently spelled names.
Harper is my maiden name lol I like it.. My name is messed up daily and I think it's pretty simple name Tonya and it always is spelled Tanya..I am naming my baby Liam Seng and I am sure his middle name will get a lot of slack but, that name is a apart of his culture.. So that is why he is getting an easy first name .. I think you need to go with what you really want but, just think of how others will say it and how they may or may not get picked on for the name.. Food for thought.. My oldest gets frustrated because her first name is Kalyn named after my mom and her twin but the problem is no one says it or spells it right so she has now went to her middle name Dakota.. If I would have thought of it more I would have spelled it differently.. Good luck
My mothers middle name is spelled Cecelia, is that not the traditional way? My mind has just been blown
Yes, Cecilia is the traditional spelling. It is the feminine form of Cecil.
**edited for quote box fail**
Yeah, I was gonna say, "Cecelia" spelled like that sticks out to me MUCH more than "Rylee" or "Charlee." It just looks like a typo.
From my understanding the spelling of it like that derives from Latin--- I could be wrong
Cecelia is an accepted variant of Cecilia. I actually prefer it. There are often etymologically accepted variant spellings of names based on their location of usage, ie Vivian/Vivienne, Catherine/Katherine, etc.
Re: posted this on the name board... didn't get a whole lot of helpful comments.
Yup, nailed it!
*lurking
Thanks
I get that the spelling of names change as language changes, but that's not the same as purposely spelling names wrong just to be different. I do think this has become more and more popular in recent years. When I was at school many many years ago we only had one girl with a name spelled in an 'unique' way. Her name was Leica pronounced Lisa. No one ever pronounced it Lisa on a first attempt. Now, soooo many kids have 'unique' names and I just don't get it. If it's pronounced Lisa, why is it not spelled Lisa? Not meant to be a criticism, I just don't understand why.
I have chosen the name Sawyer for my baby boy or girl, and I get a lot of negative "but that's a boys name, dont use it for a girl" but I love it and I think it fits in well with our family.
I think baby names are a lot like pregnancy and if you don't have anything nice to say, its best to keep your comments to yourself.
Good luck!!!
Whether or not it is fair, people make judgements off of a name. I think Riley is a fine name, but I would not recommend Rylee. My first impression of Rylee, is someone who is very young and not well educated, due to the disreguard for proper English.
If you notice you have not gotten a lot of support for the spelling variations. These are the people that will be hiring your child, or reviewing their college application.
Edited because auto correct is a beezy!
I have never seen Charlee, but have also never met a girl using it as a first or middle either.
PS- VexedMommy, I giggled about that, too.
**edited for quote box fail**
Yeah, I was gonna say, "Cecelia" spelled like that sticks out to me MUCH more than "Rylee" or "Charlee." It just looks like a typo.
This seems to be an unpopular opinion, buuuuuut I don't like the name Harper. I'm sorry! I just associate the name with the term "harp" or "harping" as in, "quit harping on me about [insert chore here]". I think your other name choices are lovely, but would go with Cecelia Charlee or Charlee Cecelia.
I love Riley for a boy or a girl. It was one of our top picks for a gender neutral name, however, I agree that the ee could come off the wrong way as an adult. Too often my husband's friends tell me what they consider to be slutty names and that -ee is almost always one of the first mentioned.
I also think Charlie is a unique and cute name for a girl without the double -ee.
I get that the spelling of names change as language changes, but that's not the same as purposely spelling names wrong just to be different. I do think this has become more and more popular in recent years. When I was at school many many years ago we only had one girl with a name spelled in an 'unique' way. Her name was Leica pronounced Lisa. No one ever pronounced it Lisa on a first attempt. Now, soooo many kids have 'unique' names and I just don't get it. If it's pronounced Lisa, why is it not spelled Lisa? Not meant to be a
First since I'm Haitian and Jena is pronounced Gina in my language since its my mother's name i think i will stick to the spelling especially since it rhymes with my SO mother's name which is Rena
Also, OP, you mentioned you were young. If you're going to use the name Harper, please make sure you've read "To Kill a Mockingbird". You will have people asking you if you've read it after you name your child after the author.
I like Riley, Harper and Cecilia. Not a fan of Charlie. I agree on spelling and using the tradition spelling. I don't mind uncommon names. Off the wall names and misspelled drive me crazy personally.
Yes. Very much so. Lol
Either!
Yeah, I was gonna say, "Cecelia" spelled like that sticks out to me MUCH more than "Rylee" or "Charlee." It just looks like a typo.
From my understanding the spelling of it like that derives from Latin--- I could be wrong