What is a name search alternate spelling?
A name search alternate spelling is an artificial form of a business name used only during the name search process.

Why do we use name search alternate spellings?
Some business names are difficult to find.

For example, if the name "FOURTWENTYSEVEN" with no spaces was filed, it probably would not be returned in any search unless you keyed the name exactly as it was filed.  "FOUR" would not find it.  Nor would "TWENTY" or "SEVEN".  This style of business name has become much more common with the advent of the Internet.  If we create a name search alternate spelling of "FOUR TWENTY SEVEN" for this name and then use it only during a search, any of the pieces will find the business name.

Some business owners get really creative with their business names.  A name like "SOOPKICH'N" is a very nice business name, but it provides some interesting challenges when searching for it.  If we create a name search alternate spelling of "SOUP KITCHEN" for this name, it becomes much easier to find.

Because of the way the name search works, and depending on the name for which you are searching, there is a possibility that a business name will be found using both the original spelling and the name search alternate spelling. In that case, the business name will be displayed twice. For the names that are difficult to find, we decided to err on the side of possibly showing them twice rather than the alternative where they wouldn't show at all.

So, a name search alternate spelling is an artificially created name for internal use that helps during the name search process to enhance our ability to find difficult names.