I know it's not usual...

[stillconfused]

I love love love the name Daenerys. It is from a very strong willed princess/queen in the Game of Thrones show or books (if you are a reader like me). My husband and I both really like the name and you can use Dani as a nickname. But so many people are hating on it. It's kind of getting me down.

I thought I might change the spelling to Danerys. Which makes it a little easier. For those who are unsure how to pronounce, it is Duh-nair-ess.

What do you all think.

Her name will be Danerys May.

[zaelia]

I think it is a pretty name! I would not personally use it, but I can definitely see its appeal. The main drawback for me would be the spelling. Even Danerys might be tricky to pronounce the first time.

[hayley88]

I think it is very pretty. It's not my style,but if you really love it,go for it.
p.s love Game of Thrones!

[kala_way]

Well, can't say I like it. Seems right up there with naming your kid Draco, but it's not terrible.

Since there's heiress and Damaris, I think you'd have better luck getting that pronunciation with Daneris or Daneires.

It sounds a lot like denarius, like the currency used in ancient Rome. So maybe Danairus? Spelling it with a y makes it look even more made up than it is.

[catloverd]

Danerys to me should be pronounced Dan-air-eees, Danaris would be a much better spelling if you are worried about mispronunciation.

[blairx]

Daenerys is a lovely name in itself, but since it wasn't a name before Martin wrote the books and the TV show is current and she's a main character, it's too tied to the character - so far. But maybe that could change, and you could be one of the ones to change it. Asha/Yara Greyjoy is my favorite character and I find both of these names more applicable to the real world than Daenerys.

I have a few sci-fi and fantasy names as guilty pleasures, though, so I completely understand. I love Irulan (from Dune), for example.

[gblondie]

Danerys = da-ner-ies to me

[betsy buttercup]

I love it, mostly because she's one of my favorite characters. I loved her and Drogo together in the show and the book - I think if I ever had another son Drogo might be on the list! I disagree with most people here, I think your spelling of Danerys would easily be read as the correct pronunciation. I really don't like any of the other spellings people offered. Great idea for a name and spelling. Go for it!

[taz]

Nms because I like simpler & more familiar names...but the sound of it is ok. I've never read the books or watched the tv show so it isn't familiar to me at all. I would figure it was either made up or obscure. I dislike nn Dani. I would say if you like more unusual names Neri or Rys or Danay or Day or something?

I would use Day...but like I said, simple is my style.

[stripedsocks]

Daenerys might as well get spelled after the character. It's not like it's a fantasy-world spelling of a normal name, it doesn't gain any more familiar Danerys and people who DO recognize the name/character will just think "...and they couldn't even spell it right." Meanwhile, if you're worried about people laughing when they hear it called out on the playground, it still sounds the same, so why change it? You love the character enough to name a girl after her!

Daina means "song" in Lithuanian and Latvian.
Nerys is a real Welsh name. It means "lady."

I often wonder if George R.R. Martin intentionally blended those (it is Song of Ice and Fire after all) or if it was coincidence of names that sound fantasy. I rather like Daina as a first name.