Referring to Posessive tense when names end in "S"

Question

I've recently had a child and we've decided to name him Parks, like a derivative of Parker. This joyous event has created serious grammar-related stress in my life as I realize I don't know the proper way to refer to his things with a possessive tense. Here's an example; When I talk about his fork it is "Parks" fork or is it "Parkses" fork. I've spelt phonetically because at this stage I'm more concerned with pronunciation than I am with spelling. I do realize there's a whole follow-up discussion regarding Parks' or Parks's.

It seems to feel different depending on the name. Takes names such as Wes or Ross. These names seem like they have to be "Weses" fork and "Rosses" fork. "Can you please pass me "Wes" fork or "Ross" fork?" feels obviously wrong. On the other hand names like Parks, James, Mats feel less awkward. "Can you please pass me "James" fork?" Again, I spelled these phonetically and know there would be an apostrophe.

I've attempted to look this up online and a few different reputable sources suggest opposing views. Speaking to people has been completely useless and quite amusing as no one can agree on what's right but everyone is very passionate about their answer. I'd love some form of a definitive answer so it stops feeling so awkward as it comes out of my mouth.

Thanks in advance

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

It would be kind to your child and find a nice nickname for them because the s -sound after the combination or "rks" is not mellifluous. It is quite unpronounceable.

Most would just make it an ending s sound rather than a separate syllable.

https://www.dailywritingtips.com/possessive-of-proper-names-ending-in-s/

CalifJim · Answer

anonymousI've attempted to look this up online and a few different reputable sources suggest opposing views.

You need to choose one and stick to it. The style manual I use says the possessive case of a name that ends in 's' is the name followed by apostrophe-s:

Parks's fork; Parks's coat; Parks's toys

"Parks's" is pronounced the same as "Parkses", but "Parkses" means more than one "Parks".

There are two children named Parks in this class.
~
There are two Parkses in this class.

CJ

(x-posted)

Anonymous · Answer

You want Parks's. Look at St James's Park in London. There is no doubt about it. The only names that get the bare apostrophe are historical, like Moses and Jesus and Hippocrates. You are looking at it backwards. The spelling must conform to the convention in speech, not the other way around. Look at Marx. You don't make it Marx' theories. It's Marx's, and that's the same as Parks's.

Referring to Posessive tense when names end in "S"

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