How to Correctly Spell Proper Names

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Whether you were the spelling bee champion or it was your worst subject in school, it’s often a level playing field when it comes to how to correctly spell proper names, especially of people and places that have spelling variations.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step1

Make sure you know how to correctly pronounce the proper name in question. If you are not certain, ask two or three people what they think. Chances are the majority will agree.

Step2

Once you know how to pronounce the proper name, say it aloud. As you do so, break it up into syllables. Write down the letters as you hear them in each syllable.

Step3

To correctly spell proper names, try doing an online search of the proper name, spelling it to the best of your knowledge. Even if you misspell the proper name, most search engines will be able to recognize what you meant. For instance, if you spell Mount Rushmore as Mount Rushmoore, or Abraham Lincoln as Abraham Linkin, the search engine should bring up links to websites that reflect the correct spelling.

Tips & Warnings

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you misspell someone’s name. Those who have uncommon first or last names have had them misspelled all their lives. They understand and, unless it’s for purposes of publication, it’s really no big deal.
If you do need to spell someone’s name for publication, and you’re not certain of it, do not hesitate to call them or someone they know.
To improve your spelling of proper names, read the daily news. Over time, you’ll automatically pick up on how to correctly spell proper names of people, places and things most commonly discussed. Plus, learning how to spell one set of proper names will give you clues as to how best to spell others.