The correct spelling of the surname "Maccarthy" is often confused due to the variations in pronunciation. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is məˈkɑrθi. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, followed by a hard "k" sound. The second syllable has a long "a" sound, and is emphasized. The third syllable has a "th" sound, followed by a short "i" sound. It's important to use the correct spelling when referring to the name to accurately distinguish it from other similar surnames.