Form of a Name
The way our names are pronounced and spelled, and the shortened forms we prefer, are very important to most of us. It’s irritating if your name is constantly misspelled or mispronounced, and it can be annoying if someone uses a short version you don’t like, or the formal version that wasn’t actually bestowed.
Diminutives The pet forms of names (Megan, Kate, Jamie) are often used, and sometimes given, in preference to the full versions (Margaret, Katherine, James). Even if you intend to always use the diminutive, it’s worth considering giving your child the full formal name, since there may be times when it’s more appropriate. On the other hand, if you intend always to use the full version of a name (Patricia, Edward) it’s good to consider how your feel about any pet forms (Pat, Patty, Patsy, Trish, Tricia; Ed, Eddie, Ted, Ned) since your child’s name will almost certainly be shortened by friends.
Sound You may like a name because of its sound-it could be that the name is naturally harmonious, or perhaps it sounds good alongside your last name. Most parents take particular care to select a happy partnership, with surnames balanced by given names. Indeed, some parents bestow names in the order they feel sounds best (Elizabeth Anne, Arthur James), but call their child by the middle name (Anne, James).
Spelling and pronunciation It’s worth giving your child a name that everyone can spell and pronounce easily to avoid confusion and irritation for your child in later life. In the last 50 years or so, there has been an increasing tendency for exotic spellings of ordinary first names (Jayne, Kathryn, Jonothon). Some names have more than one pronunciation (Helena), while others are confusing (Phoebe), and still others have more than one spelling (Clare, Clair, Claire). For more information on www.pregnancy-calendars.org
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