What is the proper way to document name ambiguity as in "Marie or Mary"

Question

I'm getting error reports on profiles that I have "or" in the name field. I don't want to depend just on the bio to help with merging. Do we have a format form that will address this but not create reports?

Answer 1

If a person was referred to by several different first names or spellings, only one (the one that was most likely their proper/formal/official first name at birth) should go in Proper First Name and the alternative first name(s)/spelling(s) should be listed in either (i) Preferred First Name if you think the alternative name was preferred over her Proper First Name during during their lifetime or (ii) Other Nicknames (separated by commas if more than if the alternative name was not necessarily preferred.

For the wikitree guideline on the name fields, see: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Name_Fields#Proper_First_Name