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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is my girls name choice really as bad as people are making out!?

156 replies

NameChanged15729 · 19/08/2021 20:19

I’m starting to get paranoid. Me and dh are due a baby girl early next year and have decided on the name Theodora. It’s a name we both love and feel suits our family.
We like that it’s the name of a character in The Haunting of Hill House. We also have a Lydia after the character in beetlejuice Grin.

However when I’ve been asked about names all but two people have pulled faces and one family member said it was a ridiculous name.
I don’t really understand what’s ridiculous about it so thought I’d ask here. Is it really that bad?

OP posts:
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WhoppingBigBackside · 20/08/2021 09:21

I really don't like it but I like Dorothy.

Hardploc · 20/08/2021 09:18

Beautiful. Love it

WingingItSince1973 · 20/08/2021 00:20

Both are beautiful names and can be shortened to equally lovely nick names xx

TartanDMs · 19/08/2021 23:11

It's pretty. I had a great aunt called Theodora, she was known as Doris, though (she was the second child called Theodora in her family, her older sister died in infancy and Doris was born two years later). It is timeless. I was expecting something line Everleigh or Shy-Ann or some weird spelling of an unusual name Grin

RainbowMum11 · 19/08/2021 23:04

I like it
Robbie Williams' daughter is Thoedora

Flickeringgreenlight · 19/08/2021 22:59

It's far from dreadful OP, it's a gorgeous name! I'd shorten to Teddie or Thea...makes a lovely change from all the overused Alices, Ellas, Olivias, Amelias etc...(absolutely no offence to anyone, I just really dislike popular names).

Did you know Robbie Williams' daughter also called Thedora nn Teddy? 🥰

Blueberry40 · 19/08/2021 22:54

I think it’s lovely- unusual but not ridiculous and lots of ways to shorten depending on her personality Smile

Nillynally · 19/08/2021 22:53

Love it myself- not brave enough though as I know even my own family would be horrible. Go for it x

Shallwegoforawalk · 19/08/2021 22:51

It's lovely!

pucelleauxblanchesmains · 19/08/2021 22:51

It's a lovely name! I was expecting something like Golingabeth.

Peaseblossum22 · 19/08/2021 22:49

It’s a really beautiful name , ignore the naysayers

Terhou · 19/08/2021 22:47

I think it's lovely. What sort of names do people in your family use if they think this is ridiculous?

VenusTiger · 19/08/2021 22:46

They're both lovely names, I've always liked Lydia.
I wouldn't like it being shortened to Theo though as that's not a girl's name- I guess if you like Dora then go for it.

AhNowTed · 19/08/2021 22:45

Love it.

AliceMcK · 19/08/2021 22:45

My 2nd DD people actually asking me if my name choice was actually a real name. Dd 3 literally every member of my family, included extended family pulled a face and said are you serious. I love both their names, they are normal names and I told others to fuck off, as well as had a few good comebacks on their children’s names choices to shut them up.

Both are absolutely beautiful names x

rooarsome · 19/08/2021 22:43

There's a Theodora in DD's class, who gets called Teddy. I think it's sweet

alexdgr8 · 19/08/2021 22:41

it's basically the same name as Dorothy, the other way round.
and it's a fine name.
nothing wrong with it.
take no notice. they are jealous of your good taste, trying to bring you down to their level.

DPotter · 19/08/2021 22:40

Perfectly fine name

I've said this before and will no doubt say it again - there should be a warning on pregnancy testing kit boxes -

  In the event of this pregnancy test being positive - DO NOT, repeat 
  DO NOT share any thoughts about names with anyone else other 
  than the other parent. (And sometimes maybe not even them) as 
  sharing can cause upset and family tensions
Travielkapelka · 19/08/2021 22:37

I think it’s rather affected and try hard but it certainly doesn’t offend me.

ofwarren · 19/08/2021 22:35

Nothing wrong with it. It's a perfectly good name.

NessieMcNessface · 19/08/2021 22:35

I absolutely love this name! Don’t be put off, it sounds as if some of your family are being being very unfair and a bit unpleasant tbh.

user1493494961 · 19/08/2021 22:34

I like it.

CiderWithRosy · 19/08/2021 22:33

I love it! I also love the way the family in Hill House shorten it to Theo. So pretty.

Ikeameatballs · 19/08/2021 22:31

It’s nice but a bit long for my taste, I’d end up calling her Dora.

Libraryghost · 19/08/2021 22:29

I like it! I was expecting to be horrified by the thread title. It will probably get shortened to Thea or even Teddy. I like them too!