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Question about anglicized names
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7:44AM
Aug-22-10


bitsyitsy

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We are having a baby girl in October and have finally found a name we can agree on. The problem is in the spelling. The traditional Wilhelmina feels and looks visually unattractive to us and we are worried about pronunciation issues. However, we are both bothered when names are changed for "uniqueness" or changing original/traditional spellings. We do like Willamina, Williamina, and Willemina but are not sure how we feel a bout these anglicized versions. Can someone give us some history on naming or these names to help us make a decision?
Thanks in advance!

1:05PM
Aug-22-10


EmmettRedd

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I find it ironic that the name you are worrying about anglicizing has already been somewhat anglicized when you only mention "W" sounds. In the German, Ws are pronounced as Vs. Hence, the capital of Austria is pronounced veen while spelled Wien.

The mother of a fellow, high-school basketball player was a WWII bride uses "Helmi". I don't know know if it is short for
Wilhelmina or not.

I am not concerned about spelling uniqueness. My daughter is Emmily with the ms doubled like her dad. (At least we did not follow the two of every letter in my name by calling her, Emmillie.)

Emmett

BTW, very few spell my name right simply from hearing it. And, they almost always mispronounce my last name, Redd, upon reading it.

1:19AM
Sep-06-10


Stoppel

Holland Europe

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Post edited 1:21AM – Sep-06-10 by Stoppel

Emmett,

Perhaps you hear German 'W's' being pronounced as 'V's', but I really hear the 'W's' in the German language. But that might be because I am Dutch. Wilhelm, is pronounced as Wilhelm and not Vilhelm. And so is Wilhelmina. 'Warum'(why) is not heard as 'Varum' and the 'Waffen SS' was certainly not the 'Vaffen SS'.

By the way,'Vilhelmina' is a city in Sweden.

4:00PM
Sep-07-10


Bob Bridges

USA

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Post edited 4:02PM – Sep-07-10 by Bob Bridges

I may be mistaken, but I believe I've seen "Willemina" even in some of my old German ancestors' names, which would allow you ethnic authenticity. I wouldn't use "Williamina", myself, but "Willamina" would not necessarily be a crime against humanity.

4:17PM
Sep-07-10


Stoppel

Holland Europe

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Here in Holland 'Willemina' is more common than 'Wilhelmina'. We used to have a Queen named Wilhelmina, that name was very popular for newborn girls during the war and after the liberation, but I guess they all used the short version Will. Wilhelmina was just a name in a passport and in the files.

2:31PM
Oct-26-10


bitsyitsy

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Thank you everyone for your help. I think we are leaning towards Willemina.
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