"Americanized" spellings/pronunciations

[sunsplash]

What are your feelings on changing the spelling and or pronunciation of a name to make it easier or more familiar in the US? Do you think it changes he name completely, makes the name trashy or the parents looks uneducated for knowing ahead of time or because it's their kid, do they have the right to do what they want?

The reason I ask specifically is that DH is pushing Soren for our son due in September. He likes the meaning, it's Scandi background, and says it sounds great with our DD Siri, which is also Scandi. But he does not like the Ø or the soft U pronunciation and wants just Soren, said so-ren. Our last name has an accent mark already, the more common É, but it is ridiculously a PITA on all legal documents and forms as few American computers recognize the characters and most entry clerks are too lazy to figure it out. We've had a definite hassle just with the last name and I understand not wanting to settle a kid with a first name with an even more unfamiliar character, especially when it'd be filed incorrectly almost every time.

I know people who have changed many names in the US to make it easier, Saoirse to Sairsha, Riordhan to Rordan, Caoimhe to Keeva/Kiva...and that seems to be completely acceptable - I just am not sure if this is the same situation since once the Ø is removed the pronunciation changes. I don't want people thinking I'm trendy or clueless, not that their opinions should matter but I can't help it.

Thanks!

[noahsark]

Being Irish, i prefer addressing the confusion of the pronunciation of my Gaelic name rather than the eye-sore of the Americanized versions E.g. Aisling to Ashlan, Caoimhe to Keeva, Aoibhinn to Avan and the worst to read Aoife to Efa.
IMO, stick to the traditional spelling to honour (see honor with a 'u') the roots of the name.