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Has anyone you run accross KEVYN as spelling of this popular Gaelic name? What, if any, is the significance of spelling it with a Y versus I?
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I've seen it once or twice. Kevyns tend to have higher disposable incomes and better taste in household furnishings and fashion design than do Kevins (who are frequently cops and butchers).
Seriously, I don't think that the "y" spelling has any particular significance. Just a modern spelling variant.
- Da.
Seriously, I don't think that the "y" spelling has any particular significance. Just a modern spelling variant.
- Da.
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I've heard that the "y" variants are actually pretty old, dating from the Middle Ages or something. In names such as Martyn, Bryan, Kevyn &c, y and i were probably interchangeable at first, but at one time, the y spelling was actually more popular/the preferred spelling. I don't know if this has anything to do with the letters i and j being interchangeable in names such as Iulia/Julia?
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Don't think so - originally there was no need for a J because I made a Y sound as in Iulia; then as the sound changed, people needed a newletter to accommodate the new noises they were making.
You're right about the middle ages - spelling wasn't standardised so anything could be flung into the mix. That led people to stick in Y spellings in order to make medieval stories etc seem authentic. The result is often inaccurate kitsch, but if it doesn't bother them why should we complain? Just avoid Ye Olde Elisabythanne Coffye Shoppe...
You're right about the middle ages - spelling wasn't standardised so anything could be flung into the mix. That led people to stick in Y spellings in order to make medieval stories etc seem authentic. The result is often inaccurate kitsch, but if it doesn't bother them why should we complain? Just avoid Ye Olde Elisabythanne Coffye Shoppe...
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LOL, Zenana :)
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