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Baby names

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

Original poster

Anthea - yes or no?

108 replies

HmmAnthea · 22/04/2024 13:16

I think I quite like Anthea for baby DD (expected early September). But... is it old fashioned in a bad way?

Surname starting with F. I like Thea too, but Thea F- is a mouthful.

Thank you!

OP posts:
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Holstomorrow · 24/04/2024 21:01

No

peaceinourtime · 24/04/2024 17:36

Yes, yes and yes to Anthea OP, it’s a beautiful name.

RubyBirdy · 23/04/2024 20:26

Another vote for Althea, rather than Anthea. I love the nickname Ally too, rather than Thea.

Original poster
HmmAnthea · 23/04/2024 20:11

@Happyinarcon funnily enough, my own name was very unusual when I was a child, but popular by the time I was 20.

I quite like Diana too, which I suspect might also be popular again in 20 years?

(Not that Diana is on the list)

OP posts:
Brexile · 23/04/2024 12:24

oakleaffy · 22/04/2024 13:23

No- Reminds me of smug Anthea Turner.

Agreed - but is she still on the telly? As soon as she goes away she'll be instantly forgotten, it's not like she's some kind of timeless cultural icon.

Happyinarcon · 23/04/2024 10:10

I think it’s a great name, but i would say you’re 15 years ahead of time fashion wise. They’ll probably be a lot of babies called Anthea when your daughter is 20 something

user1492757084 · 23/04/2024 09:38

No, it's too Th.y and F.y together.
How about..
Anna
Anneka
Andrea
Antonia
Anastasia

InfiniteGoodVibes · 23/04/2024 07:09

I know a couple of Greek children with the name, but it is pronounced Anthi, which is far nicer I think.

WonderingWanda · 23/04/2024 07:06

I prefer Althea to Anthea but again I am of the Anthea Turner on Blue Peter generation and the association is just too strong I can't imagine the name on a baby. That said, I would've said the same thing about Mable or Maeve years ago as old lady names but they have become popular again and no longer soims out of date to me. Maybe just go with it because you love it....blaze a trail.

TheNinjaWife · 23/04/2024 07:00

i love the name Xanthe too!

urbanbuddha · 23/04/2024 06:47

I like Anthea. I prefer Athena though.

Roomination · 23/04/2024 06:41

I’m not keen. I really dislike Anthea . I know a little Thea and in the local accent it comes out as Fear. With the lispiness of the toddler stage in general, Thea will be Fear.

Toomuchgoingon79 · 23/04/2024 06:40

No. Athena is better imo

ClaudiaWinklepanda · 23/04/2024 06:26

Would Xanthe work?

TheNinjaWife · 23/04/2024 06:20

I think Anthea is a beautiful name, both elegant and timeless.

AppleCrumbleTea · 23/04/2024 06:02

Anthea is nice but love Athena is stunning

Roselilly36 · 23/04/2024 05:51

I like Anthea, it’s a nice name.

Needanewname42 · 23/04/2024 05:43

I don't think there is anything wrong with it. It's a fairly OK name and a change from the Ellie, Ame type names that seem to be fashionable just now.

ElasticElsa · 23/04/2024 05:25

Wouldn't it be great if when commenting on name advice posts, posters put 3 of their favourite names too - then the OP could see if their taste is aligned in any way IFYSWIM, it would be helpful to the OP to be able to dismiss opinions which would be the opposite of their taste anyway.

Chinuplippyon · 22/04/2024 19:22

salamithumbs · 22/04/2024 18:58

I really like it! I wouldn't have said it was dated in a Barbara/Susan way as it wasn't anything like as popular a name. I also wouldn't have thought of Anthea Turner as I know the name but not much else about her (if anything I'd think of Effie's mum from Skins, she was Anthea iirc)

Barbara is gorgeous!!

ElasticElsa · 22/04/2024 19:16

It has never been popular like Tracey and Sharon, which imo makes it timeless and if no particular era

rainbowsparkle28 · 22/04/2024 18:59

Just makes me think of Anthea Turner, sorry! Like Thea though 🙂

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 22/04/2024 18:59

Give us a twirl, Anthea.

salamithumbs · 22/04/2024 18:58

I really like it! I wouldn't have said it was dated in a Barbara/Susan way as it wasn't anything like as popular a name. I also wouldn't have thought of Anthea Turner as I know the name but not much else about her (if anything I'd think of Effie's mum from Skins, she was Anthea iirc)

11NigelTufnel · 22/04/2024 18:25

I prefer Athena. Which I suppose would be Ah-fee-na in places where th becomes f. Still, someone has to start the name revival, I know a few little Mabel's now, which would have been inconceivable when I was a kid.