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Baby names

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

Original poster

Talia / Thea

40 replies

Roseredwine12 · 19/04/2019 19:33

Thoughts on Talia or Thea (Thee-ah) as a girls name. Which do you prefer? what are your thoughts on either?

Thank you Smile

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MollyYouInDangerGirl · 22/04/2019 15:08

I love Thea but not keen on Talia at all I'm afraid.

Thea feels quite cool, and fierce almost? (In a good way)

RaffertyFair · 22/04/2019 15:03

You're welcome. Good luck.

Original poster
Roseredwine12 · 22/04/2019 14:53

RaffertyFair thanks for the useful info Smile yes agreed, they are different names.
Always believed Thalia spelling was Hebrew but I am wrong there!
Love both the associations

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RaffertyFair · 22/04/2019 12:03

It looks like they are different names rather than different spellings of the same name.

Thalia apparently comes from ancient Greece : Derived from the Greek thallein (to flourish, to bloom). Thenameis borne in Greek mythology by the Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry

And Talia from Hebrew Thename Taliais a girl'snameof Hebreworigin meaning"gentle dew from heaven; by the water

Windbeneathmybingowings · 22/04/2019 11:09

In fact I asked if it was Thalia and they looked at me like I had invented the name.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 22/04/2019 11:09

My DN, Talia, is Turkish Cypriot so I don’t know if that is strictly true. No one had heard of it when she was called it and there was no argument about the spelling (and if there is any argument to be had, they will have it!) They say it completely flat. Tally-a.

Cutcrease · 22/04/2019 10:23

I think Thalia is the common spelling in Greece and Cyprus and Talia is the way it’s spelled in the Middle East. Could be wrong but that’s my understanding, The Thalia I knew was Greek Cypriot heritage and the little Talias I know are British Jews,

Original poster
Roseredwine12 · 22/04/2019 10:18

Thanks ladies for all your opinions. Am really surprised (in a good way) at all the positive feedback. Think Talia /Thalia is my fav but still not sure about the spelling? Always thought it was Thalia but now confused Hmm

OP posts:
pilates · 22/04/2019 10:07

Talia, strongly dislike Thea

Cassie124 · 22/04/2019 08:49

I really like both names, but Thalia is my favourite of the two.

Zazia · 22/04/2019 08:08

I prefer Thalia.

CaitlinsYellowSocks · 22/04/2019 07:59

I love Thalia - I think it sounds stronger than Thea. But Thea is perfectly nice too (although I prefer it as a shortening for Dorothea)

MercyBodle · 22/04/2019 02:56

Where I live Talia was very popular in the 80s and 90s (Australia), so it is everywhere right now. I do prefer its sounds over Thea though. I would love something like Dorothea or Theodora with nn Thea.

ABitOTT · 21/04/2019 22:50

Don't like the name Thalia. Love the name Thea.

Unfortunately for Thalia/Talia, it will always be associated with a spoilt brat we met on holiday some years ago now. Talia & her parents had appeared on a Channel 4 TV show & we were sat at a table with them. This obnoxious child kept going on & on about how famous they were. We had no idea who they were & politely chit chatted while eating our dinner then excused ourselves as we had friends to meet. Talia tagged along with my DD who tolerates the most awful people, but this one was the one that broke her. She begged us to back to our rooms just to escape!

Cutcrease · 21/04/2019 18:30

I love Thalia. The one I was friends with at school was Greek Cypriot heritage. Talia is a popular modern Hebrew. I know a few under 5 ones. I love both names but for me Thalia is still my favourite.

PBobs · 21/04/2019 15:35

If Thalia (pronounced with the Th sound st the front) is in the running that's my favourite.

PBobs · 21/04/2019 15:32

I would pronounce Thea with a short e but that's because I'm Greek. Thalia and Talia are two totally different names. Thalia is an Ancient Greek name - one of the three Graces. Talia is a Hebrew name. I prefer Talia to Thea but that's probably to do with the way that Thea sounds mispronounced as Thee-a to me and actually means aunty in Greek when pronounced like that.

stellarfox · 20/04/2019 21:07

I really like both!

Original poster
Roseredwine12 · 20/04/2019 20:52

wigglybeezer ah that's great information to have! Thank you.
Think I'm veering on Thalia at the moment. So tricky! Really pleased all the feedback has been positive x

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wigglybeezer · 20/04/2019 14:31

There's a beautiful dainty white daffodil called Thalia, it's my favourite. I like both but it would depend on the local accent, I'd prefer to avoid "fear". I also have a soft spot for Thallassa, from the Greek, I think it means of the sea.

LittleMissMummaBear · 20/04/2019 14:22

I prefer TheaSmilex

bridgetreilly · 20/04/2019 11:04

I prefer Thalia to Talia, but prefer Thea to both of them. I would choose Dorothea, personally, and have Thea as a nickname.

Cbeebiesrehab · 19/04/2019 22:32

My problem with Thea is some people (a lot of children) will pronounce if ‘fear’ whilst establishing their TH sound. It is a pretty name however.
My cousin is Talia and there is pronunciation discrepancies even within the family! Most of us say Tal-ia but my sister still says Tahl-ia, despite her being almost teenage age. I love the diminutive Tali.
Talia wins for me I think.

Bumblebeesmum · 19/04/2019 22:16

Thea is stronger sounding to me than Talia. Both lovely though.

PlatypusLeague · 19/04/2019 22:14

I much prefer Talia. It's a clear sounding name.

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