I am having problems with spelling a name...

[kherrmann3]

OK, so my Aunt has a foreign-exchange student from Egypt right now. I am writing out my Christmas cards, and I have no idea how to spell his name. I don't talk to my Aunt much, so I would feel odd calling her... His name is pronounced "Ach-med". Think of the "clearing-of-the-throat" noise for the "CH" part. I cannot find the spelling!

Here are the possibilities:
Achmed (I don't think so)
Ahmed
Ahmad

I am thinking the second one? I am not sure! Does anyone have a guess? Anyone who knows any Muslims or Middle-Easterners? Help!

 

[Flashy]

I immediately thought Ahmed, so I agree.

 

[pinksalamander]

I used to work with a guy called Akhmed.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[irishbunny]

Flashy wrote:

I immediately thought Ahmed, so I agree.

I think Ahmed is pronounced aw-med

 

[kherrmann3]

pinksalamander wrote:

I used to work with a guy called Akhmed.

Maybe that is the spelling? I have to call my Grandma and ask! lol None of us (minus my Aunt and I) could say his name right. My mum had a problem with the "KH" part of his name lol

 

[pinksalamander]

Yeah Ahmed is pronounced as it sounds, 'ahhh-med' as far as I know. Think about it geographically C isn't a very common middle-eastern letter I don't think? K would be far more plausible for the 'CH' noise. I'd go with Akmed or Akhmed.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[Flashy]

I came across a kid called Ahmed and it was pronounced similar to 'achmed', but was pronouced 'ahchmed' that's why I said that. It might be like with english names and you have different ways of spelling names pronounced the ame, like Amy, Ami, Aimee, etc. Can you ask him?

ETA just to through something in the mix, it might be worth asking and checking because some religions and religious people that do not celebrate Christmas may find it offensive to get a Christmas card.. I'm not sure what his religion might do, so it might be worth an ask.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I'm sure it's Ahmed.

BTW a "holiday" card isn't offensive to most non-christians.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=ahmed&submit=Submit

turn your sound up, click on the top button to "Submit" and listen


There are a couple of spellings but I think if you use ahmed it's the most common and if you are wrong...... oh well!

 

[NZminilops]

I dunno, I had a jehovahs witness friend at school who almost ended our friendship over me wishing him a happy christmas one too many times! Some people are just strange .

I hope you can find out how to spell it, what a lovely idea for you to be thinking of him .

 

[kherrmann3]

Flashy wrote:

ETA just to through something in the mix, it might be worth asking and checking because some religions and religious people that do not celebrate Christmas may find it offensive to get a Christmas card.. I'm not sure what his religion might do, so it might be worth an ask.

I don't think he will be offended. He participated (the best he could) in saying "grace" for Thanksgiving. From my understanding, they are supposed to try and go with the culture that they are "studying". It's addressed to my aunt, uncle, and him. So, it's not just him

Also, this sounds terrible. I am agnostic, and I do not necessarily think of Christmas as a religious holiday (it IS, but I don't celebrate it that way). I think of it more as a "be nice to people" holiday.

I gave in and called my Aunt. It's spelled Ahmed.

Thank you, everyone!

 

[Brandy456]

I think it's Achmed.

Jeff Dunham has a pupped names Achmed, like you said how it sounds and he spells it that way.


ETA : I just noticed you ssent it already

 

[kherrmann3]

I had to give Will two days notice before meeting Ahmed. Will laughed like a nutcase and was quoting Jeff Dunham for the two days before he even met him! Ugh!

 

[Brandy456]

Lol you gotta love jeff dunham

 

[Sabine]

I'd go with Ahmed. Never seen the other spellings before