Name Spelling

Updated on November 02, 2010
H.T. asks from Lebanon, CT
30 answers

Our little boy will be born this afternoon, my husband and I haven't decided on a spelling.. Please help us decide.. Brendan or Brendyn?? Please help!! Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for the quick responses! And all in my favor, except the one my hubby posted.. although the birth certiifricate is not filled out I think we have a clear winner!

Featured Answers

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M.G.

answers from Seattle on

I'd go with Brendan unless you're prepared for his name to be constantly misspelled. My child's name is Aubry(female)and because I did not spell it Aubrey people are constantly misspelling it so I know how that goes.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Brendan. Sorry but Brendyn looks like you're trying to hard to be unique, different, cool, or trendy. Besides, his name will get misspelled his entire life.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Brendan. I'm not a fan of creative spelling in names. It does nothing other than set the child up to have their name "misspelled" and mispronounced all their life and it makes it harder to understand correct spelling as they get older.

3 moms found this helpful

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Brendan. I hate the "work a 'y' in" type of names!

5 moms found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Brendan. Not as unique, but he'll appreciate the choice when he's going to law school.

4 moms found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Spelling it Brendan is more masculine. Congrats!!!

4 moms found this helpful
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M.W.

answers from Boise on

Brendan. The y is too feminine.

3 moms found this helpful
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T.C.

answers from Chicago on

Congratulations!

I vote for Brendan, otherwise it'll always be misspelled by others.

2 moms found this helpful

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Congrats on your baby. Please for the love of his little self, do NOT use the 'y' in his name. LOL! Brendan is a great name.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.F.

answers from Columbus on

I vote for Brendan. Congrats!!!

2 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

I like Brendan much better.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Brendan!
Beautiful name, by the way.
Congratulations!!!!!

2 moms found this helpful

A.F.

answers from Chicago on

I vote Brendan as well. Of course I go with more traditional spellings -- my kids are Caitlin and William :) I am not into the "unique" Y and K versions of things.

2 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from Seattle on

I vote Brendan or even Brenden.
Congrats!

2 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I think the "y" makes it look more feminine, but whatever you chose will be perfect for him :). Congratulations!!

2 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from New York on

Brendan- you don't want him spending his life "correcting" people... I have and it's a pain. "Actually, it's 'Christa' with a K".

Congratulations and love the name!

2 moms found this helpful

K.L.

answers from Cleveland on

Congrats!!!
I would say that I immediately think Brendyn would be a girl's name. I would stick with Brendan.

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

The "Y" is typically the clue that I am dealing with a girl. I think the "y" is feminine. "I" and "A" are more masculine.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from Boston on

Brendan.

Congratutions!

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L.S.

answers from Boston on

As a former Kindergarten teacher, I strongly recommend the traditional spelling of a name. I have seen many children with "cute" spellings of traditional names go through the grades with everyone mispelling their names...they constantly have to correct spellings when they are just learning the spelling themselves, , they are questioned about the spelling by adults who think the child has made a mistake, etc. All this as they are establishing their own identity of which your name is a big part ,

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A.M.

answers from Hartford on

Brendan! the other spelling is girly :)

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S.R.

answers from McAllen on

I'd never heard about a Brendyn, but sounds cool. I would go with Brendan, though, I like it.

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S.W.

answers from Boston on

It seems like the overwhelming vote is "Brendan". I concur; solid name. My cousin named his son "Brennan" which is a variant of Brendan (not trying to add another name into the hat, just thought it was interesting). It is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Brennan is "teardrop". Best of luck with you baby boy!!!

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M.C.

answers from Providence on

Let me guess you each like a different one? I myself like Brendyn, dare to be a little different but ultimately you guys have to make the decision & live with it. Congrats & good luck.

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

Brendan. I like being able to actually spell names of people.

I have hated correcting the spelling of my own name my entire life. With Rachael Ray and Rachael Leigh Cook, it is harder than ever to get people to spell my name right!!

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J.S.

answers from Boston on

Congratulations! Brendan, the traditional way. Otherwise he'll spend the rest of his life saying "Brendyn, with a "y"...B-r-e-n-d-y-n."

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H.W.

answers from Lewiston on

Absolutely Brendan. I work in the schools and see kids with different spellings ALWAYS have to correct people or act embarrassed about it. People often like having a unique name, but I've rarely ever met anyone who likes having a common name that's spelled really different.

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A.F.

answers from Boston on

IMO Brendan - (no y)

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C.T.

answers from Hartford on

I say Brendyn, as this is the more traditional (and therfore correct) spelling. And will be more unique, like my daughter Ryleigh!

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Another vote for Brendan. More masculine, less desperately seeking trendy (unless you're willing to go whole hog with the full welsh/gaelic spelling Breandynn, but I still like Brenden/Brendan much better).

I have a very great friend (one of the most amazing people EVER) named Brendan. I love an adore the name, so I'm biased. But he still has to correct "Not Brandon, Brendan." converting that to "Not Brandon, Brendyn with a Y. No no... at the end. B-r-a-n-d-y-n." will get tiresome very very quickly.

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