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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Too similar?

30 replies

Isbobmyuncle · 23/07/2021 19:51

Evening 😊

My brother and his wife have a little boy called Theo (not short for anything). I’m pregnant at the moment and we like Theodora for a girl. We’d use Teddy as her nickname. Too similar to Theo or worrying unnecessarily?

Thanks 👍🏼

OP posts:

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OuiOuiKitty · 26/07/2021 17:58

I'd probably think it was a bit weird that my sister named her kid the same name as my kid but with another bit plonked on the end but it wouldn't actually bother me.

They are so similar that everyone that knows the 2 kids will pick up on it, whether that bothers you is your call.

Terrazzo · 26/07/2021 17:55

Having said that my nephew has one syllable different from my DS in his whole name - same first name ending, same middle name, same surname, and it took me 18 months to even notice.

Terrazzo · 26/07/2021 17:54

Hmm would they have the same surname too? I probably wouldn’t do it but I often think ‘no one owns a name’. But it practise its might be too odd.

To add to other suggestions, what about Leonie? I much prefer Leo to Teddy personally! But oh, then you’ve got Theo and Leo!

Really like Dorothea too. But then you run the risk of Theo and Thea 😂

Cindie943811A · 26/07/2021 17:51

I can’t see an issue here. Different perhaps if both children were of the same gender. To ensure family harmony mention it to your brother and see what his attitude is.

Helpmetopickone · 24/07/2021 17:32

I do not see the problem here. It’s your child and if you like a similar name use it as you will only regret it. We have two cousins called Edith in our family as it is a family name. When they are together one is Edie and one Edith but day to day both known as Edith. Never an issue

ItPearl · 24/07/2021 16:27

I wouldn't do it.
So many names and you're choosing the female version of the name they just chose.

I can't believe people think it's ok.

IVflytrap · 24/07/2021 16:24

Is it the nickname Teddy you like most, or is it Theodora? If the former, I would use another name and still nickname her Teddy. Nicknames don't have to derive from a longer name, so you could call her literally anything and still use Teddy as a family nickname.

Original poster

Isbobmyuncle · 24/07/2021 07:43

Thanks all - I thought it might split opinions. I’m still not sure how I feel but that’s probably an answer in itself!

OP posts:

NomadMum · 24/07/2021 00:13

I personally think it’s too similar, but I’d talk to your brother about it and see his opinion as that’s the one that really matters

PaolaDiLorenzo · 24/07/2021 00:09

@Katefoster it's not very imaginative is it ? When they are so many names to pick from .

Katefoster · 23/07/2021 23:50

@PaolaDiLorenzo yeah I know someone with kids called Alan and Alana, very strange

Katefoster · 23/07/2021 23:48

Too close for siblings but for cousins it's absolutely fine.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 23/07/2021 23:38

As pp suggest, Leonora instead? Theo and Theodora are really close especially if they are a fairly similar age and will likely see each other often. But I suppose if you always call her Teddy then its unlikely most people will make the connection. However bear in mind that as she gets older she could insist on her full name or even want to use the nn Thea.

PaolaDiLorenzo · 23/07/2021 22:42

My neighbour and her sister did this and both babies were born within several months of each other.
I once knew someone who actually used the male and female versions with her own children,which I always thought was strange.

35andThriving · 23/07/2021 22:41

I don't see the problem. If you want similar suggestions that you might like then - Leonora?

I have a cousin with the male version of my name. Two other cousins share the same name as each other (same surname too).

TatianaBis · 23/07/2021 22:36

It’s the sAme name with Dora on the end.

Chilldonaldchill · 23/07/2021 22:28

I would never do this and I would have been upset if a sibling had done so. I wouldn't have minded with a friend.
How about Dorothea? Which is similar but had a different feel. I think you could still use Teddy if you wanted to.

pinkyredrose · 23/07/2021 21:05

You can't call your daughter the female version of your nephews name? Imagine how you would feel if a close relative used your child's name 🤔

I really don't understand what the problem would be.

Crumpets12 · 23/07/2021 20:48

I really like the name and the nickname Teddy- so cute! Could you spell it slightly differently. Like for example, Theadora as it will take the ‘Theo’ out of the name completely. It depends how you pronounce the name as I say it with a soft ‘o’ like an ‘Uh’ sound instead.

Or could you ask your brother and SIL their thoughts if you are really concerned about upsetting them.

Buppers · 23/07/2021 20:39

I would use it. Theodora is a lovely name, and Theo is completely different. Do bear in mind, though, that she won't be known as Teddy at school. She'll be Theo or Dora or T or, if my DC are anything to go by, Bobble, Bunny (which are not related to their names) etc, etc, etc.

Dinosauraddict · 23/07/2021 20:36

It would be really poor etiquette to use Theodora in my opinion. Out of all the other names in the universe - pick another. Unless there's some huge backstory about it being the name of another deceased sibling or something with huge emotional significance to both you and your brother.

2pinkginsplease · 23/07/2021 20:30

I wouldn't! Too similar.

My sil wanted to name her child a name that was similar to my daughter. Think Milly and Tilly. It was too similar and I told her that!

Philandbill · 23/07/2021 20:27

Dorothea?

PumpkinKlNG · 23/07/2021 20:24

I wouldn’t

AvantGardening · 23/07/2021 20:24

Is it Theodora or Teddy that you like? So we can suggest similar stuff

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