Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

I love the name Cian, pronounced Kee-in. DH is Irish and we wanted an 'ethnic' name for our son. Now, I asked around and some people knew to say Kee-in and others said Sigh-ann. I know it's going to be a problem in the US. But since we're going with a traditional Irish name, I wanted to use the traditional Irish spelling. And to further complicate matters, my nephew is named Kiran (Keer-an). So if we used the spelling Kian, it would be way too similar to Kiran. The pronunciations are already the same, but at least the spelling can differentiate the two. I am just worried that we'll have to be correcting people our entire lives. DH doesn't think it's a big deal to correct people. You correct them once and then move on.

Which spelling would you choose: Kian (close to nephew's spelling) or Cian (authentic spelling but pronunciation dilemma)?

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

I would stick with authentic.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

I am (DH doesn't know ) considering Cian too and that is the spelling I would use. I think it's an easy one to get when you consider some of the other possible authentic Irish names.

I have a niece Ciara, so I'm thinking Cian is too similar also.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

Honestly--most people WILL say cyann. If that does not bother you go authentic. If it does I would do Kian.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

I would go with Cian.

People are going to ask about it no matter what... just because it's not a name they are used to hearing or seeing.

i'm all for Irish names.. and I'm totally for keeping the authentic spelling in tact. It keeps it different.

My brother is Sean.... and now that it's more of a popular name he probably doesn't get many questions or mispronunications with it... but I remember people called him SEEN all the time.

My name is Kerri... which I happen to think is somewhat of a simple name... people mess that up all the time. I get Carrie, Karen, Kelly, etc. When I was in grade school one little boy asked my name. I told him and he said "I don't get it"... he just kept saying he didn't get it to me... even after repeating my name and saying it right..."Kerri I don't get it" IDK what there is to get about a name.
But the point is.. the name mess up's can happen with just about any name. So I say go with your gut and name him whatever you want... don't worry so much about outsiders.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

go with the correct spelling. My nephew is Cian. I love it! great choice.
DD's name is Irish and people have trouble pronouncing it every once in awhile but once I correct them it's fine. We are probably going to go with another Irish name for this baby.
I say this all the time, but we live in a multicultural society so ethnic names (of any kind) should not be a problem or a surprise for anyone once they are told the correct pronounciation.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

Authentic, but that is just me. I too have an odd name, but I just help people out and they usually remember.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

Coming from an "irish name' family, I say go with the authentic. People will get it. I'm Kerri and get everything from Kelly to carrie, and it's fine. DH is Sean, and my DD's are Riley and Braydan. The authentic way of spelling it is beautiful and most people will get it.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

honestly when i saw it i thought it was pronounced see-ann.
but i dont think that should change your mind if you want to go traditional!

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

It's such an unusual name that it's going to be mispronounced either way. I would go with the authentic version.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

thanks Ladies!

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

Kian, because it is spelled more similarly to how it is pronounced.
But either way, people are going to get it wrong.

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma

i would spell it the authentic way. if this baby is a girl, her middle name will most likely be mireille pronounced meer-ay in french. i wouldn't think if changing the spelling, but that's why i made it the middle name, b/c i didn't want her to go through life having to correct people. i had to do that with my name and it wasn't fun

Re: Names: spelling vs. pronunciation dilemma