correct spellings..

[quitmyscene.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about the name Ciara today and it's really growing on me. Problem? That's the correct spelling of "Keira" and is not pronounced like "see-are-uh" / "see-air-uh" as I know some people would assume. I know there are many Irish names that have the problem MUCH worse - but I feel like if I were to ever use Ciara, she would always have to say "Ciara with a C" and potentially spell out the thing, since I believe that the average person would assume to spell it Keira.

Other than being made up and often ugly, a big problem people seem to have with creatively spelled names is that the poor little kid is always going to have to spell out his/her name to everyone.

Would you ever use the "incorrect" spelling of a name, over the original, for convenience's sake? (like using Keira over Ciara) What names do you like where your spelling is not necessarily the first one people might think of, due to creativeness, origin, or whatever else?

Comments

[lustdumpster.livejournal.com]

i think keira is common enough to be considered correct at this point. in fact the only ciara i've ever known of is the singer who pronounces it see-air-uh, but i've known and heard of plenty of keiras.

since i am in america and not ireland, keira is the correct and common spelling to me. ciara is see-air-uh.

[ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com]

I knew the name spelled as Kira up until discovering the actress Keira Knightly. Of the 3 spellings, I prefer Keira.

[lovablemess.livejournal.com]

That's always how I've known it spelled, too- as Kira.

[quitmyscene.livejournal.com]

See, I would assume the "i" in Kira to be pronounced like the letter I.

[fangirlism]

Yup, me too.

Then I met a Kyra online (though until she told me, I always pronounced that Keer-uh)

[http://users.livejournal.com/___heyvanity/]

Yes. I love Rhys and will use it opposed to Reece.

I don't think you should sacrifice the spelling of the ORIGINAL for people pronouncing it wrong. Plus, by that time, the singer Ciara won't even be an issue so people might not be as inclined to pronounce it See-air-uh.

Personally, I like Ciara more than Keira. I think Ciara looks more elegant.

[quitmyscene.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah. I mean if I did use it, I'd definitely want to spell it the "correct" way. I knew one other girl when I was growing up who also pronounced Ciara like Sierra.. and that was before the singer was even around :[

[rorylareina.livejournal.com]

I prefer Ciara, but with the popularity of the singer, I think most people will pronounce it see-AIR-ah. If you don't mind going Italian instead of Irish, you could use Chiara (key-AH-rah). It has an extra syllable, but it's similar.

[penguiny7.livejournal.com]

Wait, there's a singer named Ciara who pronounces it like Sierra? That makes her parents look stupid. :/

[quitmyscene.livejournal.com]

Chiara (well, Kiara..) will always remind me of Lion King 2. Ha! I like it a lot, though still prefer Ciara / two syllables. Thanks for the suggestion.

[pythianlegume7.livejournal.com]

I'd honestly spell it Kira if you're not going to spell it Ciara. If you aren't going to spell it right to begin with, might as well go with the easiest to read.

[quitmyscene.livejournal.com]

I figured Keira was more accepted because of Keira Knightly. I'd assume to pronounce Kira as "ky-ra," with the first part rhyming with "eye." However, if I were to use it, I'd spell it Ciara.

[jordle.livejournal.com]

NOOO! I hate when people use traditional irish (or Gaelic or whatever) names and 'americanize (for lack of a better word) them'. If you're going use a traditional irish name then spell it correctly.

[penguiny7.livejournal.com]

The word you're looking for is "Anglicize." :) And I agree!

[jordle.livejournal.com]

That's the one :D

[penguiny7.livejournal.com]

I would use Ciara over Keira. Keira looks ugly, Ciara looks pretty. I'm not a huge fan of the name in general. I don't know if people would pronounce Ciara like Sierra, but I think they wouldn't get it right for sure.

There are a few Irish names I wouldn't use because of spelling/pronunciation issues, but mostly I just won't use them because I'm not Irish enough to justify their use. But the main reason we aren't going to use Llewellyn is because of spelling/pronunciation issues.

[spaceandclouds.livejournal.com]

I actually like Keira better than Ciara, but I do get your point.

Having to spell out your name really isn't such a big deal as people make it out to be, though. For me at least =).