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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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Goldbar · 19/08/2021 21:01

Love it.

lottiegarbanzo · 19/08/2021 21:01

That is a really great name. Not just ok but great.

She can be Thea or Dora, or the whole thing.

Never tell people the name before they meet the baby. It's just asking for trouble. As soon as a name becomes a real person's name, it takes on a whole new character and association and feels completely different. Just try to forget you ever told them.

KittenKong · 19/08/2021 21:00

I like Thea for a girl.

Whogotdakeystomabeamer · 19/08/2021 20:59

I love it, and all of the shortenings too

Blossomgates · 19/08/2021 20:58

Love, love, love, I researched our family tree during lockdown and we have an ancestor with this name. Dora is my preferred NN.

Eileen101 · 19/08/2021 20:58

Beautiful name! I only told my DCs names to a select few before they were born... I had to be confident that the only comment would be "lovely!"

MajesticallyAwkward · 19/08/2021 20:58

I know someone named theodora, mid-30s who shortened to Theo. Until recently I'd never come across another when Thea be and more popular, I know of 4 babies/toddlers called Thea.

TweedePrik · 19/08/2021 20:57

It was on my list many years ago. I like it.

Mummylovesmonkeys · 19/08/2021 20:56

A great name. Friends have a Theodora and call her Teddy - so cute and really suits her.

Mamamovingnorth · 19/08/2021 20:55

It’s a great name! Just don’t tell anyone, then they can’t have opinions. ‘Oh we have a couple but haven’t decided on one’

LunaTheCat · 19/08/2021 20:55

Beautiful name - she will love it as she grows.
It’s up to you and your DH. The others putting their 2 cents in can kindly f—k off!

luciasanta · 19/08/2021 20:54

I think it's perfectly fine and very cute.

romdowa · 19/08/2021 20:54

I know a little girl called Theodora and she is just the cutest and her name suits her so much. I'm due a baby in November and nobody likes the names we've picked either expect my father 🤣🤣

BamberGascoine · 19/08/2021 20:54

I love it. I know one who is shortened to Thea so not actually sure how the full name is spelt

diddl · 19/08/2021 20:53

It's not to my taste, but it's hardly ridiculous!

I prefer Thea or Dora.

Love Lydia!

buckeejit · 19/08/2021 20:52

It's nice but 4 syllables is a lot all the time

SusannahSophia · 19/08/2021 20:52

Yes, it’s absolutely fine. Agree that your mistake was telling people before she was born. Go with it!

MajesticWhine · 19/08/2021 20:51

I like it a lot.
I was expecting a shocker when I clicked.

Musmerian · 19/08/2021 20:49

It’s a classic name, means gift from God, not faddy and has lots of possible nicknames; Dora, Thea etc. Ignore everyone.

Phyllis321 · 19/08/2021 20:48

It’s lovely- unusual without being try hard.

PlainJane1000 · 19/08/2021 20:47

@NeverMetANiceOne

The way around this is just not telling people your name choice before the baby arrives. Once you've named the baby people tend to keep their opinions to themselves.
This.
MaMelon · 19/08/2021 20:47

Lovely name (I tend to ignore the Robbie Williams connection - he shouldn’t be allowed to spoil a lovely name just because he’s a prat) with plenty of NN optionsif you choose Smile

Amdone123 · 19/08/2021 20:45

I love it. Love Teddy for short ( dislike for a boy). I love Lydia too.

Cbeebiesrehab · 19/08/2021 20:44

I think it’s beautiful!

Thehouseofmarvels · 19/08/2021 20:42

I have met a Theodora, nothing wrong with it at all :)