Hi Jennifer!

I discovered your site back when I was pregnant with my oldest (he’s almost 6) and have been using and recommending it ever since.

We are expecting our third baby. I LOVE the name Wynn, and my husband likes Winston. We compromised and will use Winston but call him Wynn. But here’s my question: Would it be too confusing to go from Winston to Wynn (spelling wise)? I like the spelling of both and don’t want to change the spelling of either. (Let’s just be honest: Wynnston, Wynston, Winnston, Winn, Wyn, and Win look stupid to me.) What do you think?

Thanks so much!
Katie

Hi Katie,

Thanks for writing and recommending our site! My gut reaction to your question is yes, I do think it would be too confusing to go from Winston as a given name to the Wynn spelling as a nickname, since that’s not the standard.

If you were asking me if you should use one or the other, I would choose Wynn first and foremost. I would avoid Winston for several reasons: 1) it is a popular brand of cigarette, 2) it’s a character (actually two) on the popular TV show New Girl. Although they’re good, kind, quirky characters, the name would be constantly associated with that. And 3) I see your surname from your email and Wynn has a better rhythm as a full first-last name combo than Winston.

Say it aloud in our introduction test: “Hello, my name is Winston C*****.” or “Hello, my name is Wynn C*****.” Which sounds the best to you?

Of course, in the end it’s your decision.

Sincerely,
Jennifer