Maria Theresa

I like Maria Elena (as suggested upthread) as well. They sound lovely together.

I know! Call he Maria-Maddison or Maria-Chardonnay (don't forget the hypen!!!! Tres important!) Then she'll fit in everywhere.

I think that as the OP has also said her baby is already called Maria and that she is looking for a middle name, we could perhaps leave the obnoxious comments about her choice out of it, no?

Forget the bullying, it's simply an uninspired, boring name.

Maria Grace (as suggested up thread) is beautiful.

Exactly Elquota. It is a Catholic name. And no-one should be scared of using it just because it is Catholic.

Saying the name "sounds Catholic" definitely isn't a judgement either way, it's just an observation.

Goodness RaRaZ, how depressing you live in an area that is so prejudice, ignorant, unaccepting of others and limited! Not doubt it is the parents attitude that the children are picking up on? Woe betide anyone being different by the sounds of things.

"I've also stated that, in my area, it would likely inspire bullying. Yes, so might a million other things, like having red hair or speaking 'posh', but personally I wouldn't choose a name I thought my child would be picked on for. "

P.s. I'm Irish Catholic too, but don't use my middle name in everyday so I'm just known as Maria

I don't think it is particularly relevant where the OP lives. Unless you live on the moon, we live in a multicultural society with many different names.

Parents from all over the world use their cultural heritage and religion as influences for their children's names.

In my son's class there a Maria and a Moses. Side by side. I really hope that no-one will ever think it is acceptable for either child to be bullied because of their name.

TheBirds : Did she? Sorry, I must've missed that. So yes, fair point: she's likely to be attending a school where that won't be a problem.

However, if the OP asks for an opinion on whether it's too saintly, what's wrong with giving an opinion? I think it is; you may not.

I love it, probably cos that's my name,
But I'm Maria Teresa, no 'h'

I was named after Maria in West Side Story, don't know where the Teresa came from!
Mx

No, I don't. Nor do I have a problem with Catholic names. I think you're missing the point somewhat. The OP asked if it too saintly sounding. Several of us replied that we thought it was. I couldn't give a monkey's about the origin of the name, but I do think it sounds too much like a nun and therefore, for me, it's not the right name. I've also stated that, in my area, it would likely inspire bullying. Yes, so might a million other things, like having red hair or speaking 'posh', but personally I wouldn't choose a name I thought my child would be picked on for. I'm not saying I'm right, but the OP asked for opinions and that was mine. I really don't see your problem.

RaRaZ As the OP has said she is Catholic I think we can presume her acquaintances would have no problem with her child being called Maria.

I have a huge problem with chavvy/surname/made up/uniquely spelled names but to presume a child would be bullied because of having a name which has been around for millennia is frankly a little bit mental.

What exactly is the problem with a Catholic name? Do you also have a problem with Islamic/Jewish names?

Lol. There's a big difference between thinking a name sounds 'holier than THOU' and actually picking on someone because of it - I hope you realise that.

It may be ok where you live and where you send your child/ren to school, and I think there'd be a big difference between state and private and RC and non-RC schools too, but I certainly wouldn't give any of my children a 'saintly' sounding name because I know that around here it would set them up to be picked on, especially in their teenage years. Doesn't really matter what would happen where I live or where you live though - it's where the OP lives that matters here.

But then if there are people on mumsent calling the name 'holier then thoguh' then I am not surprised if their children do turn out to be bullies because of a child's name.

Really? Bullied for having the name Maria Theresa?

...except she'd probably get bullied at school, Kelda , and might be a little too keen to shed her holier-than-though persona when she hits the age of 13...

Nothing wrong with being reminded of a nun.

Maria is typically a Catholic name, with a strong traditional in Spanish speaking countries, the Low countries and Ireland etc.

My dd1 has Maria as a second name.
I know loads of people with Maria in their name -
Maria-Sophia
Marie-Louisa
Anna-Marie
Maria-Elena
Rose-Maria (Rosemie as a nickname)

Mia /Mieke are traditional nicknames.

Makes me think of a nun, sorry.

What about Maria Scarlett? Is there a non-traditional name you like? Do either of you have any different cultural reference points you can pull in? Eg if any Spanish Ines, Gwenyth & Wales, Danish Astrid

What about Maria Maude?

Theresa is just the middle name. She'd be Maria to everyone. I like it.