Theo or Adam....?

Dahliasings91 · 2025-02-25T15:02:47+00:00

As per title, torn between the two names for DC3. I know both are quite common, well used names. Not keen on Theodore so it will just be Theo.

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BoleynMemories13 · 26/02/2025 20:04

pearbottomjeans · 26/02/2025 07:57

Much prefer Theo but so does everyone - it’s everywhere!

To me Adam is for a 30 year old. I’m a 90s baby and we had a Keith and a Martin in our year which are current 60 year old names if you ask me. Ie a generation older than they were, like Adam would be to a current newborn. Adam would be the male version of say, Becky. Not a problem, I know a primary aged David and Derek and Ian, but they are stand out.

It depends where you are, David is by far and away the most popular boy's name at my school (very popular among many Eastern European and African families). Adam is also fairly well used, being popular among both our Muslim and Polish families. Both are traditional classics, still well within the top 100 boys names in England and Wales. A young David or Adam now is nothing like a Keith being born 30 years ago.

For what it's worth, I know several Martins who are in the 30s too. I don't think that's unusual at all. Martin would be dated now, but not so much in the late 80s/early 90s. I'll give you Keith being woefully dated, even in the 80s!

Emanwenym · 26/02/2025 12:53

I have a name that wasn't popular in my age group. I was in a shop a few years ago and someone was calling my name. Her little girl had the same name.
Adam is nice - simple for a little boy but also manly.

Dahliasrule · 26/02/2025 12:43

Emanwenym · 26/02/2025 07:28

@Moveoverdarlin Probably a 30 yr old, but it was probably unusual 50 years ago.
Babies called Adam in England & Wales since 1996

Theo/Theodore is far more likely to date. There are so many of them.
I much prefer Leo.

Yes, Emanwenym, it was very unusual 50 years ago. I have a 55 year old DS called Adam. I remember when he was about twelve years old in the park, turning around as someone had called ‘Adam’. It was to round up a little toddler and he was the first other Adam we had come across. We gave our DS a more nondescript second name in case he didn’t like it when he grew up but he is quite happy as an Adam.

BarnacleBeasley · 26/02/2025 12:30

I love Adam. I wanted to use it for DS2, but it got vetoed due to having no viable nicknames.

I would imagine it's probably more popular in London because it belongs to multiple traditions (Christian, Jewish, Muslim) and London is more diverse than other parts of the UK.

Original poster

Dahliasings91 · 26/02/2025 12:26

Surprisingly in the London data, Adam is number 5 in the top 10!
Theodore is number 7,

OP posts:

RuthW · 26/02/2025 12:23

Adam

There will be three Theos in his class but no more Adams

Emanwenym · 26/02/2025 11:52

@Dahliasings91 , have a look at the ONS site. Baby names in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics
There's a section called Baby names by region. Where you are makes a big difference. The most popular girl's name where I am isn't even in the top 100 nationally.

Busted2006 · 26/02/2025 10:40

Adam,

Theo will get pronounced as Feo

Original poster

Dahliasings91 · 26/02/2025 09:52

Big thank you to everyone who has responded.

Funnily enough I know a few Adams but as someone above mentioned, they are all 30+.

I haven't come across many Theos where I live through other DCs childcare/school. We get a lot of Noah/Jack/Harry/Arthurs. I always regarded Theo as being more of a Greek name but judging by this thread it seems to be really popular with people all over.

I can very much imagine Theo being pronounced as Feo especially in the part of London we live!

OP posts:

pearbottomjeans · 26/02/2025 07:57

Much prefer Theo but so does everyone - it’s everywhere!

To me Adam is for a 30 year old. I’m a 90s baby and we had a Keith and a Martin in our year which are current 60 year old names if you ask me. Ie a generation older than they were, like Adam would be to a current newborn. Adam would be the male version of say, Becky. Not a problem, I know a primary aged David and Derek and Ian, but they are stand out.

Bournetilly · 26/02/2025 07:48

I hate the name Theo so Adam.

Waterlilysunset · 26/02/2025 07:48

Adam!

WildCherryBlossom · 26/02/2025 07:36

I love Adam. It has a reassuring solidity to it. I seldom meet any.

LostMyLanyard · 26/02/2025 07:32

Adam by a country mile!

As a primary teacher I see the gamut of names and 'trends'. In 30 years I've never taught an Adam or had one on role at any school I've taught at.

Theo is currently the 'Oliver' of the primary school landscape! It's everywhere, and even worse, the lack of 'clear speech' by around 30% of children these days means that poor 'Theo' is forever called 'Feo' (it even gets spelt like this on Christmas cards and party invitations 🤦‍♀️). I even hear adults (other parents) say 'Feo'.

Emanwenym · 26/02/2025 07:28

@Moveoverdarlin Probably a 30 yr old, but it was probably unusual 50 years ago.
Babies called Adam in England & Wales since 1996

Theo/Theodore is far more likely to date. There are so many of them.
I much prefer Leo.

user1492757084 · 26/02/2025 06:38

Adam

Nonameyet1 · 26/02/2025 06:15

Adam.

However, would be interesting to know his sibling names to see which works better.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 26/02/2025 00:14

Moveoverdarlin · 25/02/2025 23:48

Adam I would assume was a 50 year old bloke, so on that basis I would choose Theo.

Adam’s been in the Top 50 for more than 30 years now, so I’d say it’s the exact opposite - the vast majority of Adam’s are under 50.

Despite its popularity, I’d still say it has more “classic” feel to me though than Theo - mainly because the rise of Theo is made more obvious because it’s part of the “O” trend (Leo, Milo, Arlo etc). Adam at least sounds more distinct from other names.

Moveoverdarlin · 25/02/2025 23:48

Adam I would assume was a 50 year old bloke, so on that basis I would choose Theo.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 25/02/2025 23:46

Adam, no contest - it’s fairly classic, popular without being overused, nice and simple and shouldn’t give away his age, background etc much. A lovely choice.

I’m generally not bothered about popularity as such (and very much like the sound of Theo) but Theo/Theodore does seem to be the boys name of the last decade or so imo. It might become another Oliver and stay popular for a long time - or it might sound dated and give away his age in future, it’s too early to tell yet.

toomanytocount2025 · 25/02/2025 22:31

There's a boy called Theo in my street the other kids in the street and school all call him 'thicko'. On that note I would go for Adam

Normallynumb · 25/02/2025 22:17

Adam. I think it's timeless.
It's my DS3's middle name

Maddy70 · 25/02/2025 22:00

I love the name Adam it's ageless

Moreteaandchocolate · 25/02/2025 21:39

Love both but I would pick Adam as there are so many little Theos round us.

17caterpillars1mouse · 25/02/2025 21:01

I like Theodore but dislike Theo, they are 10 a penny here and often seem to be poorly behaved

Adam is lovely, a classic, but I actually don't know ant young Adam's and have 3 children of varying ages