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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Theodora or Wilhelmina?

56 replies

Linguaphile · 08/09/2015 12:49

We are now getting a little desperate in our search for a name for DD3. DD1&2 are Philippa Winter and Vivienne Gray, so would like another strong classic that feels familiar but not ubiquitous. Middle names weren't intentionally 'word' names or a theme, just names to honour different people (Gray is MIL's maiden name and DH's middle, for instance). Our previous front runners (Felicity, Georgina and Juliet), while perfectly nice, are feeling just a bit stale and boring; I'd really like to be excited about DD's name as she's our last chance to name a child!

I've recently been mulling over Theodora (nn Thea or Teddy) and Wilhelmina (nn Willa) and feeling quite excited about them. Just need to know if I'm pushing the boat out a bit too far and/or going in the wrong direction! Are they far too stodgy to bestow upon a helpless infant?

Also, any suggestions for middles? I'm quite liking Blythe at the moment, but more ideas would be most appreciated.

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GammonAndEgg · 09/09/2015 19:48

My mum is Susan and my youngest DD is Susannah to honour her.

If you think Theodora Susan is a bit plain, how about Theodora Susannah?

DiscoDiva70 · 09/09/2015 19:39

I'm not keen on either name tbh, and I also don't think they go with the names of your dd's.
How about
Cassandra, Hermione, Eleanora, Matilda, Claudia, Francesca, Jemima

lorelei9 · 09/09/2015 19:20

Clearly in a minority but really dislike both.

Felicity, Georgina, Juliet, Blythe are all lovely names.

I'd be particularly concerned that your first two children have lovely names so a child named Theodora or Wilhelmina would feel resentful. Wilhelmina is particularly clunky. I just feel the names you have already are pretty, whereas your two top choices now aren't.

I may be over conscious as my sis has a clunky name in contrast to my non clunky one and she's always been annoyed by that. Thea alone is nice but Theodora, not so much, plus she's going to be nicknamed Dora.

I was actually just thinking the other day what a nice name Felicity is.

Wilhelmenawonka · 09/09/2015 19:11

Nothing to add but saw the thread title and had to contribute Wink
Juliet is lovely.

Congratulations on baby

cornishglos · 09/09/2015 19:08

Juliet goes with the siblings best and is really lovely.

Raines100 · 09/09/2015 13:45

Juliet is my fave. Seriously considered it for DD, but my mum's name is Julie so DH vetoed it as too similar. Just think it's the epitome of feminine. Not overly common, but not out there either, and can never be dull when the word evokes images of a star-crossed romantic heroine.

Otherwise, I like Theodora best. I know one, nn Teddy, and she's v cute. Felicity is nice, too. Wilhelmina makes me think of the Kaiser/Malory Towers, but Willa is better. Sounds strong and independent. Not the prettiest, most exciting name, though. Georgina sounds dumpy to me, sorry.

Jw35 · 09/09/2015 13:12

Theodora is lovely! Thea great nn

ifgrandmahadawilly · 09/09/2015 13:11

Theodora is lovely, especially Theodora Constance.

I'm definitely not a fan of Wilhelmina. Wasn't that the name of someone from Ugly Betty?

Original poster
Linguaphile · 09/09/2015 13:08

Many thanks for the opinions and suggestions! All duly noted. Re Dorothea, I'm not keen, primarily because (while I now live in the UK and DH is English) I actually grew up in Kansas Grin. The teasing would be horrific, I expect.

OP posts:
CelestiaLuna · 08/09/2015 22:30

Much prefer Wilhelmina to Theodora, no comparison.

How about Winifred or Henrietta? Both beautiful and strong names imo Smile

HainaultViaNewburyPark · 08/09/2015 21:05

I prefer Wilhelmina to Theodora. But Juliet is my favourite.

I do like Dorothea (as suggested above). I also like Audrey, Caroline, Frieda, Jacqueline, Marguerite, Marianne and Phyllis Thomasine

CruCru · 08/09/2015 20:49

I like both (I live in north London). I know a couple of Theadoras so it would be Wilhelmina for me.

Smooshface · 08/09/2015 18:07

We pondered Theodora too, I don't think it would have suited ours in the end but it was on the list, with the idea that we would use shortening Dora if we shortened. I think it's a nice name and it's not so outlandish really

Daphnedolittle · 08/09/2015 17:58

Theodora is so beautiful and what lovely nickname options!
I'm not keen on wilhelmina.

Theodora beats Juliet, Felicity and Georgina for me. Felicity is too fussy and the others just don't do it for me.

Robertaquimby · 08/09/2015 17:25

Would you consider Dorothea? I think it is prettier than Theodora and you could still have Thea. Great literary connotations if you like that kind of thing. Other names that might fit

Sylvia
Rosamund
Tabitha
Jacintha
Miranda

TeenAndTween · 08/09/2015 17:10

Georgiana Darcy (channels P&P).

Georgiana is more in keeping with your other two than Georgina.

Theycallmemellowjello · 08/09/2015 17:09

Also Felicity to me is very stuffy and fussy. What about Letitia (for a similar meaning)?

Battleshiphips2 · 08/09/2015 17:09

Decide*

Battleshiphips2 · 08/09/2015 17:08

Grace. Rebekah. Estelle. Helena. Eleanor. I hate trying to think of baby names! My son was named after he was born as I couldn't decided!

SometimesItRains · 08/09/2015 17:07

But you don't get to pick the way their name gets shortened once they go to school and make their own friends, so if you don't like Dora, I wouldn't go with Theodora.

Theycallmemellowjello · 08/09/2015 17:07

I love Theodora, but have noticed that it's gaining in popularity - it's possible that it might seem a bit 'trendy' (and therefore dating) in a few years. But Theodora Constance is just a fabulous name. However I really like Wilhelmina/Willa too.

DreamingOfADifferentMe · 08/09/2015 17:06

I love Theodora, and it does work beautifully with your other girls names both in being a classic, strong name, but also with a lovely shortened version. As you've already honoured your MIL with an earlier name, I like the idea of Theodora Susanne, though I also like the idea of Theodora Juliet? Or Theodora Willow? Or Theodora Rose?

Gorgeous names OP.

iMum · 08/09/2015 16:40

Margaret?
Delphine?

fairyfeatures · 08/09/2015 16:27

I like felicity but personally Theodora would win it for me. I do like fliss or flossy as really cutesy nn's though!

squoosh · 08/09/2015 15:47

I don't like Theodora and I really don't like Wilhelmina.

Juliet is so much lovelier.