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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?

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Skybluepinkgiraffe · 19/08/2021 20:40

I love it!

LemonRoses · 19/08/2021 20:40

I thought it was going to be something awful like Jay-me, Shannon or Marney-May.

Nice name. Timeless.

DarkDarkNight · 19/08/2021 20:38

I like it. I know it’s too late but I would never have told anyone beforehand. I knew not everyone would like my child’s name but if you announce it at birth it is a fait accompli, it is already his/her name not a starting point for a negotiation.

joystir59 · 19/08/2021 20:38

Awful name

Mrstwiddle · 19/08/2021 20:37

I like it too, not sure what their issue is, it’s definitely not weird at all.

KingofQueens · 19/08/2021 20:35

It's a lovely name. Simple yet classy, and with a great heritage.

Cindie943811A · 19/08/2021 20:35

Theodora is currently quite popular and not at all unusual so your family members etc are showing how out of date they are!
Don’t mention the name again until after DD is born and don’t tell any more people.
Congratulations on finding a name you both love. If you read MN you’ll see that this is quite an achievement.
Enjoy your pregnancy and wee Theodora

RuthW · 19/08/2021 20:32

It's lovely. I was expecting a weird name, but it's perfect;not too popular but a proper name

DoingItMyself · 19/08/2021 20:31

Fabulous name.

PeasPeasPeasAreGoodForYou · 19/08/2021 20:31

I like it! Goes perfect with Lydia!
You never tell people babies name before they've arrived Wink

mstroutpout · 19/08/2021 20:31

It's a great name that will suit her at all stages of life and has lots of shortening options if she wants to use one

Starryskiesinthesky · 19/08/2021 20:30

I’m not keen but I’m sure some people aren’t keen on my children’s names. I think if you like it it’s nothing to do with anyone else but I do think you are best not to tel people names in advance as at that stage people think they can say what they think.

whatausername · 19/08/2021 20:29

The poor decision you've made is in telling people the name before your DD has been born. Theodora is fine.

eandz13 · 19/08/2021 20:28

It's beautiful and was on my list but I had the same reaction from anyone we told! That it was awful apparently.

QueenofDestruction · 19/08/2021 20:27

Its lovely

Marriedtothesilverfox · 19/08/2021 20:27

Love both names, never associated either with those programmes. I did think of Robbie Williams though!

scrivette · 19/08/2021 20:26

I think it's a lovely name.

Member589500 · 19/08/2021 20:26

Beautiful name. I like Dora or Dory and Thea too

RogersVideo · 19/08/2021 20:26

It's fine Smile

SparkyBlue · 19/08/2021 20:25

I love it. I'd personally go with Dora for short if it was me.

AdriannaP · 19/08/2021 20:25

I like it. You can also call her Teddy or Dora. It’s cute

TakeYourFinalPosition · 19/08/2021 20:25

I like it.

I wouldn't tell people names before the baby is born. Everyone has an opinion on random names, because they're not attached to anything... They'll feel totally differently when they meet little Theodora, and she becomes the connection they have to the name.

NeverMetANiceOne · 19/08/2021 20:25

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.

Hoppinggreen · 19/08/2021 20:24

I like it

IHateCoronavirus · 19/08/2021 20:23

It is a lovely name. I agree Thea is lovely as a shortened version. The Theas I have taught have all been bright little buttons with bags of personality.