Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The name ISN'T the spelling.

The name is only the spelling. That is the definition of "namesake".

Let's take the name Mary for example. In many catholic countries, it was a practice to name children after Jesus' mother, that is, make her a namesake, BUT to use the colloquial version of Mary was frowned upon to the point it was a big no-no. Mary was so great that only she could have that exact name. So what did people do? They named their daughter, e.g. Marianne, and Mary, mother of Jesus was very much the namesake. Also, even into early in the last century many people didn't care as much about spelling. Heck, many couldn't even spell their names, and their names are spelled multiple ways on different official documents.

Mary stuff is different than normal namesakes. -A Catholic

Who cares if she's technically a "namesake"? You obviously named your daughter after your mother. You are obviously honoring your mother. She's choosing to be pissy about orthography instead of appreciating the sentiment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The name ISN'T the spelling.

The name is only the spelling. That is the definition of "namesake".

Please direct us to the officially sanctioned definition that says exact spelling is required. If grandpa was Jose, but his American children spell his namesake Joseph, then the grandson isn't a namesake? Ridiculous. You people sound very provincial.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The name ISN'T the spelling.

The name is only the spelling. That is the definition of "namesake".

Let's take the name Mary for example. In many catholic countries, it was a practice to name children after Jesus' mother, that is, make her a namesake, BUT to use the colloquial version of Mary was frowned upon to the point it was a big no-no. Mary was so great that only she could have that exact name. So what did people do? They named their daughter, e.g. Marianne, and Mary, mother of Jesus was very much the namesake. Also, even into early in the last century many people didn't care as much about spelling. Heck, many couldn't even spell their names, and their names are spelled multiple ways on different official documents.

Anonymous wrote:The name ISN'T the spelling.

The name is only the spelling. That is the definition of "namesake".

Yeah, she is right, it's not the same. It's especially not the same if you made it an ass-spelling.

I have a family name, after my grandmother and my aunt, and we all go by the same nick name. I spell mine differently. It's fine. No one would argue that I'm not named after my grandmother. Think Catherine/Catie/Katie.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's not spelled exactly the same way, it's not a namesake.

+1

+2

+3 "Namesake" means the exact same spelling. Pronunciation can be different according if in a different language but the spelling has to be identical.

+4

Stop saying she is her namesake. Just say you chose the name in honor of her but acknowledge that it’s not the same. My daughter’s middle name is after her deceased grandmother and I wanted to change it to a shorter version because I thought it would go better with her first name (think Kate instead of Katie) but my husband insisted we use the actual nickname or not at all. We went with it at his request and even though I would have preferred the other version, I agree now that this was the best way to honor his mom. And her side of the family is very happy that we used her exact nickname and tend to refer to our daughter by both first and middle name.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's not spelled exactly the same way, it's not a namesake.

+1

+2

+3 "Namesake" means the exact same spelling. Pronunciation can be different according if in a different language but the spelling has to be identical.

Anonymous wrote:I think your grandma should let it go (or choose to be flattered rather than upset) but I agree it's not a namesake if it's a different spelling. More of an "inspired by" or "in honor of," but namesake is a pretty specific thing.

Agree with PP that the first initial thing is specifically Jewish, and it's because it's bad form to name a baby after a living family member. Meaning namesakes are off the table if the grandma is still alive. Totally apples to oranges.

Yes, I am Jewish ( ashkenazi). You name after a deceased relative not a living one. Sephardic Jews name the first born son after a living male relative (usually the grandfather) and they use the exact same name.