[Tone Depth]

I'm cataloging composer names on ripped CD and downloaded high res files, and they show up with various spellings. Any thoughts on selecting a consistent spelling for a composer's name?

[S Clark]

Go with whatever Wikipedia uses.

Sergei Rachmaninoff instead of Rachmaninov, or Сергей Васильевич Рахманинов

[FullRangeMan]

An accurate source are albums covers.

[LesterSleepsIn]

Go with whatever Wikipedia uses.

Sergei Rachmaninoff instead of Rachmaninov, or Сергей Васильевич Рахманинов

Wiki has a page dedicated to composers of note (no pun intended):
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_composers_by_name

[cso_fan]

The link that LesterSleepsIn provided  is a great resource. May I suggest that you look up Mieczyslaw Weinberg because his name is a good example of alternative spellings. In his case its almost looks like a different name. As long as you are aware of an alternative spelling you should have no problem cross referencing your database.

[Tone Depth]

Thanks for all the good suggestions!

[Tyson]

I just pick whatever I think looks cooler.  For example, Rachmaninov instead of Rachmaninoff. 

[LesterSleepsIn]

Thanks for all the good suggestions!

Glad you could get a Handel on it.

[Calypte]

Go with whatever Wikipedia uses.

Sergei Rachmaninoff instead of Rachmaninov, or Сергей Васильевич Рахманинов

In the UK they prefer "Rachmaninov."  Just look at innumerable British CD covers and reviews in Gramophone & BBC Music.  But HE preferred "Rachmaninoff."  That is, he based his preferred Roman-letter spelling on a French rather than a German model.  He's buried in New York state (Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, Westchester Co., NY) as "Sergei Rachmaninoff."  His record label, RCA Victor, always spelled it "Rachmaninoff."  It's fair to point out that a music scholar I know who speaks Russian prefers "Rakhmaninov."