Auntie vs. Aunty
“Auntie” and “aunty” are both established informal spellings for “aunt.” The choice is usually a matter of preference, local convention, or how a particular person writes the family title, rather than a right-versus-wrong distinction.
Both “auntie” and “aunty” are correct informal forms of “aunt.” Pick the spelling that matches your audience or the person’s preference, and use it consistently.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Form | Status | Practical choice |
|---|---|---|
| auntie | established informal form | Use when it matches the person’s preference or your local/family convention. |
| aunty | established variant | Also correct; use consistently within the same context. |
| Auntie/Aunty + name | title/name use | Capitalize when functioning as part of a name or direct family title. |
Quick tests
Preference test
Is there an established family, regional, or personal spelling?
If yes: Use that spelling consistently.
If no: Either “auntie” or “aunty” is acceptable as an informal form of “aunt.”
Caveat: Preserve a person’s own preferred form of address.
Examples
Auntie Mira is visiting this weekend.
Capitalization fits use as part of a family title with a name.
My aunty lives nearby.
The variant spelling is established in informal use.
Further guidance
Capitalization Note
When used as part of a name or direct title, capitalization follows the same naming context as “Aunt”: “Auntie Louise.”
Core difference
Cambridge lists “auntie” and “aunty” as informal forms of “aunt,” so both spellings are established.
Style Boundary
Choose one spelling consistently within the same document or family style unless you are reproducing a person’s preferred form of address.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Auntie — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Auntie as an informal form of aunt, with “aunty” listed as a variant