What is the correct spelling of this name?

[ArioPrince]

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[emsr2d2]

As it doesn't appear to be a traditionally English name, I think it would be difficult for us to try to come up with a "correct" English spelling.

I don't do phonetics so I'm not even sure what the name you've written phonetically sounds like. From your suggested spellings, it appears to be some variation on the name Mustafa but I know at least four different variations just on that name (Mustafa, Mustapha, Moustafa, Moustapha).

 

[ArioPrince]

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[SoothingDave]

There is no "correct" answer. In Anglo-American culture you can pretty much spell your name and pronounce it however you like.

 

[ArioPrince]

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[Tdol]

I think there's a bit of a problem with the spelling because the one that seems to me most logical there (Mostapha'ee) may be confusing as some may interpret the apostrophe as a glottal or missing letter. A diaeresis (ë) is often not recognised by many speakers- Citroën is normally pronounced as two syllables not three. A hyphen looks strange. I have taught may Iranian students (in the UK) and not seen the full name, which suggests that their solution was to drop the ee.

 

[SoothingDave]

Dave, as an American which one would you pick in terms of easier pronunciation and spelling? Which one doesn't require you to struggle to pronounce or which one comes to your mind when you hear the pronunciation?

As an American, I would encourage you to choose a version that will be familiar to many Americans. "Mustafa" was the father King in Disney's "The Lion King."

 

[ArioPrince]

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[Tdol]

On some official documents in Japan, I have had to write my name in katakana and Richard, my first name, becomes Lichardo (the pronunciation of the Japanese spelling) and my surname acquires an extra syllable to suit their pronunciation rules. However, I haven't changed my name. As your name in Iran would be written in Persian, would it really require a change?

Couldn't you write it in Persian the way you do in Iran and use Mustafa or Mustapha elsewhere? When names have to change writing system, they may need to be a bit accommodating.

 

[ArioPrince]

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[Tdol]

Pronouncing English names in English is tricky as well. :up:

 

[5jj]

Pronouncing English names in English is tricky as well. :up:

My British colleague has a hard time trying to get Americans to pronounce her name, Andrea, as she pronounces it. In BrE, it is /ˈændriə/ not /ænˈdreɪə/.

 

[Tdol]

My sister-in-law calls me lychee. ;-)

 

[5jj]

My sister-in-law calls me lychee. ;-)

I suppose this couldn't have anything to do with the fact that, once peeled, the fruit is soft and plump?

 

[ArioPrince]

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[Tdol]

I suppose this couldn't have anything to do with the fact that, once peeled, the fruit is soft and plump?

Possibly- the description fits, but I think it's meant to be Ritchie I have never called myself this and prefer the fruit version. ;-)