The spelling of the name "Coleridge" is often confused with "Colerige." However, the correct spelling follows the usual English pronunciation rules for the letter combination "dge" which makes a "j" sound, as in "judge." The phonetic transcription for "Coleridge" is /ˈkɒlərɪdʒ/. The "-idge" ending is pronounced as /ɪdʒ/ (or "ij" sound), while the "e" in the middle is silent. Remember to pay attention to the correct spelling when referring to the famous British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge!
The word "Coleridge" is a surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Cuthbeorht" or "Cuthberht", meaning "famous bright" or "bright-hearted". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name evolved, leading to variations such as "Colerige" and eventually settling as "Coleridge". The name became known due to its association with the renowned English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834).