The spelling of the name "Kourtnay" may seem unusual, but it can be explained through phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "Kour," is likely derived from the more common spelling "Court," pronounced as /kɔːrt/. The second syllable, "tnay," can be pronounced as /tneɪ/ or /tneɪi/ and is similar to the French name "René" with the emphasis on the final syllable. Therefore, "Kourtnay" may be pronounced as /kɔːrtneɪ/ or /kɔːrtneɪi/. Ultimately, the spelling of a name is up to individual preference and culture.