How to change Google Assistant's default spelling for commonly used proper names?

Question

Some first names (often used when using GA to transcribe a message - voice to text) are spelled in various ways despite be pronounced exactly the same. (Sofia/Sophia Ann/Anne Bobbie/Bobby Don/Dawn Sean/Shawn etc) When I use the microphone for hands-free texting to someone, I hate that Google Assistant ALWAYS picks the same wrong spelling - Sophia - despite fact I have no one named Sophia in my address book. I've added Sofia to the custom Android dictionary, but no luck. This is an issue with GA hearing a word and only allowing one spelling of it. Can we upvote favorite spellings or delete words we commonly use to address this?

Chris Horton · Accepted Answer

Hey all,
Found a solution to this problem. 
For this example, let's say the contact is named "Shawn" and Assistant keeps thinking you are saying "Shaun"
1) Go into your Google contacts app
2) Open the contact "Shawn"
3) Tap to edit the contact "Shawn"
4) Scroll to the bottom of the edit contact options and tap "more fields"
5) Scroll back to the top of the edit contact options and you will now see new options:
- Phonetic last name
- Phonetic middle name
- Phonetic first name
6) Enter the spelling "Shaun" for Phonetic first name
7) Save your edit
8) Go back to Assistant and say "send a message to Shawn" like you normally would. You should now see "Shawn" display as a contact option to send a message when Assistant still incorrectly thinks you mean "Shaun" (and still displays it on the screen as such).
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Definitely not a very intuitive way to handle. The Google support rep I spoke with had no answers. I had to do some digging in contacts and eventually discovered.
Hopefully the Assistant team implements an easier way to recognize spellings/pronunciations of people's names. Or... you know... could just recognize similarly spelled names or remember I talk to someone named "Shawn" 30 times more than this mysterious "Shaun" fellow.

James M. · Accepted Answer

Everyone
 
Take a look at the Google Assistant help article
Manage your people with Google Assistant
 
https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/10069592
Teach Assistant how to pronounce a name
Important: This feature is only available in English and in the US on Android devices version 12.16.1 or later.
Once you've taught Google Assistant how to pronounce a name, your Assistant will pronounce the name on your Android devices, speakers, and Smart Displays.
On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings."
Tap You  Your people  Contact name.
Under "Name pronunciation," tap Record your own  Record .
Tip: If you try to record a pronunciation and it doesn't work, to teach your Assistant how to pronounce the name, tap Spell out how it sounds & record. Record the pronunciation again after you confirm how to spell the name out.
To have your Assistant repeat the pronunciation back, tap Play.
If you like the pronunciation, tap Save.