Some Spelling Help Please

Kannerush · February 2016

Hoping you can help solve a family debate about the best way to spell 'Kailyn' (Kay-Lin). I'm having a girl and our last name starts with G. Any ideas on the 'right' way? It's causing some debate. I want to avoid people shortening to 'Kay' and my sister says if we use a 'C', people are going to keep saying 'Caitlyn' instead. Your assistance here would be greatly appreciated!!

whataboutscience · February 2016

I agree that a C makes it look close to Caitlin. I almost think the first option is how I would spell it, but Kaylynn looks prettier to me. I also wonder if some people might try pronouncing a long I if it has "ai" in the first half. I know someone who spells it Kaylin.

cpocks · February 2016

Pronounced the same and I taught a girl named Kahlen.

Kannerush · February 2016

Kailyn winning so far! Yay! Thanks ladies - we are all very tense about the results here

jjtruffles · February 2016

If I were choosing an option from your list, I'd go with Kailyn! However, this is also my 5yo niece's name and my SIL chose to spell it Kaelynn. Why not make this harder for you by throwing another spelling into the mix?

Regardless of the way you choose to spell it, it's inevitable that some people will still call her Caitlin...my parents have met my niece many, many times and know her name is Kaelynn but they both still mistakenly call her Caitlin on a regular basis.

Kannerush · February 2016

Ha ha thanks @jjtruffles - I suppose all names have their issues when it comes to mix ups!

Kaelynn or Kaelyn could be options, good idea. My hubby actually suggested that since we put the poll up so we will definitely consider those too!

Many thanks

m8881 · February 2016

I'd pronounce Kailyn like Kye-lyn because of the name Kai.

elenabrent · February 2016

A friend of mine is Caolin, which is the traditional spelling.

john5111 · February 2016

My friend spells it Kalen.

PhoebeJune1984 · February 2016

I know a Kalen, and two Kailyn's. Those are the choices that I would go with.

AAAG13 · February 2016

I have a Kaylen in my class right now. I didn't realize it could be spelled so many different ways.

realhousewife519 · February 2016

"Cailin" is the Irish word for "girl", but is pronounced like "Colleen" as opposed to "Kay-Lin".

erinfey09 · February 2016

I know several Kailyn's (all different spellings).. and the one I've known the longest (since birth and she is now 14!) has always gone by KK which has always been fitting.

silvers626 · February 2016

jjtruffles said:

If I were choosing an option from your list, I'd go with Kailyn! However, this is also my 5yo niece's name and my SIL chose to spell it Kaelynn. Why not make this harder for you by throwing another spelling into the mix? Regardless of the way you choose to spell it, it's inevitable that some people will still call her Caitlin...my parents have met my niece many, many times and know her name is Kaelynn but they both still mistakenly call her Caitlin on a regular basis.

I second this spelling. It's a name we are considering ourselves.

mnkenned · February 2016

I have a friend named Kaylin - just another option.

Kannerush · February 2016

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! This sure is a tricky business, this naming thing. We will narrow it down to 2/3 and vote again as a family probably. Then if she hates it, we can blame it on democracy. :-P

WVUPetunia · February 2016

I teach a girl named Caelyn.

almostamissus · February 2016

I love Kalen. It just seems right to me

EmT156 · February 2016

I know someone who's name is spelled Kalyn.

LinzerBinzer · February 2016

My thought around starting with Kail is that people may pronounce it like the first part of kite. With the Kal beginning I think some will pronounce it more like Karen with a softer a. I like the Kayl beginning because I think it gets the right sound, and love the idea from @mnkennedof Kaylin.