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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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Lullington · 08/09/2015 15:36

I love your current names but not keen on theadora or willa. Gloria? Josephine?

HolgerDanske · 08/09/2015 15:13

I like Theodora a lot.

mrsschu · 08/09/2015 15:08

I have to say I like Felicity, Georgina and Juliet much better than either Wilhelmina or Theodora. I don't think either of them is "out there", I just think they are both quite ugly. Willa is ok as a nn but I don't like Thea or Teddy for a girl (although I love it for a boy). I would go with Juliet from your list or maybe Georgina. I don't think either of them is "stale".

lottiegarbanzo · 08/09/2015 15:06

Really like Theadora and Thea.

Willa is a name in its own right.

I find Wilhelmina clunky and dreadful I'm afraid.

Juliet and felicity are lovely, not dull at all. I find Georgina stodgy but I don't like George either, just my taste (or Georgie Porgie pudding and pie maybe).

Original poster
Linguaphile · 08/09/2015 15:05

What about Theodora Constance Susan? Constance feels beautifully strong to me, and I really like the meaning together ('constant gift of God' I think?), but would be nice to honour mum as well. Better to pick one or just use two middles?

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Sophronia · 08/09/2015 14:59

I like Georgina the best out of the other names.

HeteronormativeHaybales · 08/09/2015 14:58

Liking Constance, Susan or Felice with Theodora - think you need to keep the syllable count down a bit so it flows.

Original poster
Linguaphile · 08/09/2015 14:55

Is Theodora better than our other names that we've considered (Felicity, Georgina, Juliet)?

OP posts:
tigerscameatnight · 08/09/2015 14:35

Theodora for me too

Sophronia · 08/09/2015 14:33

I'd like Wilhelmina Susan or Wilhelmina Blythe.

Sophronia · 08/09/2015 14:32

I definitely prefer Wilhelmina, and Willa is a great nn. Mina would be nice too.

Not keen on Theodora, Thea or especially Teddy on a girl.

Original poster
Linguaphile · 08/09/2015 14:22

Lol Spider! How funny.

Head, DH would probably prefer Susan most over the others, I just worry that it feels a bit boring!

OP posts:
spiderlight · 08/09/2015 14:14

Theodora and Wilhelmina were my dad's two suggestions when naming me! He did not get his way, and whenever I moaned about my (short, boring) name, my mum would remind me of what I could have ended up as! Grin I do quite like Thea now though (big fan of Thea Gilmore).

triathlon · 08/09/2015 14:11

I like Theodora, with Juliet/Constance/Susan as middle name.

HeadDreamer · 08/09/2015 14:10

Oh I love a theme with children's name. How about Susan then? Is your DH keen on that one?

Original poster
Linguaphile · 08/09/2015 14:08

Lemon I certainly like it; it feels quite Byzantine! Would need to work on DH with that one, though, as he still associates Constance with 'constipation'. Confused

Head I'm actually not terribly keen on maintaining a theme of seasonal-sounding names; it was an accident to get a theme with the first two as both names were chosen to honour family/friends!

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HeyMicky · 08/09/2015 14:06

Theodora is great, and Teddy as a nn is too

DD2 has the middle name Blythe and we've had loads of compliments

LemonBreeland · 08/09/2015 14:02

Theodora Constance is lovely.

HeadDreamer · 08/09/2015 14:02

Or Holly and Ivy?

HeadDreamer · 08/09/2015 13:59

Out of your list of middle names, I actually prefer Blythe. When is DD3 due? It could be Autumn too to go with your list of cold weather names ;)

Original poster
Linguaphile · 08/09/2015 13:58

I love my 'v' sounds. Grin

Sadly DH hates the name Violet, even though I think it's sweet!

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HeadDreamer · 08/09/2015 13:57

I like Theadora too. Thea isn't very out there at all and I'm not in London. There are lots of Theos around, so I just felt it's the feminine version of it. I know a Theadora too. Dora is definitely too explorer.

fairyfeatures · 08/09/2015 13:55

I don't know why but Theodora Violet just popped into my head?And you have 2 names there with the V sound

Original poster
Linguaphile · 08/09/2015 13:53

Okay, scratch Blythe. What about something along the lines of:

Theodora Verity
Theodora Juliet
Theodora Constance
Theodora Susan/Susanne (to honour my mum?)
Theodora Felice
Theodora Vesper

Other ideas?

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fairyfeatures · 08/09/2015 13:34

Big no to Wilhelmina for me - not an attractive name and would pose some spelling difficulties for the little girl when she is learning - just my opinion of course, if you disagree, go for it and like it Smile

Theadora is beautiful. If I have DD, she will just be Thea though.

Blythe sounds like a dreary evening to me for some reason - this may just be word association I don't know.

Cant help with middle names, as I only have middle names when honouring a family member, I wouldn't have them otherwise.