The surname "Monninger" is spelled with the phonetic transcription /ˈmɒnɪŋər/ or "MAHN-ing-ər". This name originated from Germany, where the letter "g" is pronounced as a "k" in some dialects. The German pronunciation of "Mönninger" or "Möninger" was likely Americanized to "Monninger" when the name was brought over to the United States. The spelling of surnames can often be specific to a particular family or region, making it important to accurately document and preserve this information for future generations.