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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Theoden/Theodin for baby number 4!

23 replies

twogirls1more · 05/10/2011 11:11

Hi! I'm pregnant with baby number 4 (a boy after 3 girls!) and have found the whole names thing a bit of a ntmare this time!
I want something quite different this time though have obvious concerns about saddling our Son with something a bit too out there! My oldest two girls are Sophie & Emily and whilst I still love the names as they're classic and v feminine, they're sooo popular.
Hubby and I love LOTR and old norse mythology so would love to choose a name inspired by these. I would love to be a bit daring and choose Theoden, what do you think? We would spell and pronounce it Theodin..(that way we figure he has 3 names in one!..Theodin, Theo or Odin!) We would shorten it to Theo alot of the time whilst he was young and choose something more "regular" for a middle name like George so he could go by his middle name as an adult if he really hated it!
Anyway, would be keen for any feedback you may have but pls be kind!! Thanks!

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poppydaisy · 05/10/2011 11:22

Theodin is lovely but it would be a shame to shorten to Theo - that has become very widely used (overused?) recently due to footballer Theo Walcott I think. I love Odin though!

GooseyLoosey · 05/10/2011 11:23

A bit too LOTR for me (and I really love the book too). Theo is lovely though.

rachel234 · 05/10/2011 11:25

Theodin is a nice alternative to Theodore - I like it. But I'm not keen on Theo either - it has become a little 'common' round here.

Original poster

twogirls1more · 05/10/2011 11:33

Oooh, be interested to know where u girls are based? I'm in Sussex and haven't heard of any Theos recently. (Think it's hovered around the number 50 mark in popularity in the UK the last couple of years, which would make it fairly popular I guess, but not like you're Jack's or Alfie's!) As I have a Sophie & an Emily which have been in top five for donkey's years, think I could handle a number 50! Think Theo's more "grounded" and might allow our little boy to "blend" a bit more but I would be tempted to use the name in full when I could. Although it would remind alot of LOTR, the name is I believe, originally taken from an anglo saxon word meaning "king" or "leader of the people." (So not totally fictional!)

OP posts:

rachel234 · 05/10/2011 11:44

I'm in Surrey.

Trills · 05/10/2011 11:44

If DCs number 1,2,3 are called Alice, Jane, and Emma then DC4 might be a bit put out to be the one saddled with a "weird" name.

rachel234 · 05/10/2011 11:47

What's weird about Theodin ? Is it because it isn't used that widely?

pozzled · 05/10/2011 11:48

I really like it! But I would agree with using Theo and choosing a more common middle name.

(But I'm someone who would have loved 'Samwise' shortened to Sam for a boy. DH would never have allowed though, and we had girls anyway!)

Original poster

twogirls1more · 05/10/2011 12:51

I agree Rachel! Don't think Theodin's "weird" though admittedly very different and rare in this country. Isn't it difficult! My oldest girls are 13 and 11 and my eldest craves standing out and being a bit different, therefore as she's getting older is becoming less pleased that we named her Sophie! (Though I'm sure alot of it's an age thing!) With my next Daughter Emily I regretted the name choice within mths cos as soon as she started nursery she was one of about 5 in her group! (AND one of two Emily A's!!) We seem to be getting a bit braver in recent years as the next Daughter we named Siena. (Though not in same unusual category as Theodin, wasn't hugely popular at the time!)

OP posts:

ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs · 05/10/2011 12:51

Bloody awful.

spiderlight · 05/10/2011 12:57

I really like it, and I only know one little Theo (am in S. Wales).

Meteorite · 05/10/2011 13:23

Theoden and Theodore are both nice. Not sure about the "din" ending on Theodin though (making a din etc!)

Trills · 05/10/2011 13:39

I'm imagining how a teenager might use having a more-unusual name against you.

"Why did you have to stick me with a weird name when everyone else got normal names?"

Later in that conversation he'll say "I didn't ask to be born" :o

FairyArmadillo · 05/10/2011 13:47

LOTR is the first thing that comes to mind. But I like the name Theodin and don't mind the connection. Arwen was on my list!

dearheart · 05/10/2011 14:15

If you are going to have an unusual name, you should spell it correctly imo.

Original poster

twogirls1more · 05/10/2011 14:16

Well someone that comes back with two words "bloody awful" I wouldn't be looking for approval from or looking to impress anyway if I'm honest! :-)
We'll have to agree to disagree I think Trills as still don't think it's "weird." One of the reasons I like it is because it would inevitably get shortened to Theo (which is more grounded,) or he could choose to be known as Odin as an adult if he preferred, so there are options! (Plus would pick a traditional middle name.) Don't think you can necessarily win as a parent cos, as I said before, my Sophie wishes we'd chosen something more unusual for her and is a little gutted that we're considering something unusual for this baby! Is difficult too as when you name a child you have no idea what influences, (such as celebrities,) may crop up in the following years, affecting popularity...(All a bit of a gamble really!) Thanks for the input peeps!

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Original poster

twogirls1more · 05/10/2011 14:23

Not sure what is meant by "spelling it correctly?" If you're referring to Tolkien spelling, is that not fictional anyway? We are fans of LOTR but not obsessed! :-)

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ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs · 05/10/2011 16:14

I don't disapprove, I just think it is bloody awful.

ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs · 05/10/2011 16:14

I forgot to add, however it is spelled.

thistlemuncher · 05/10/2011 16:25

Actually, I quite like it. But to me, the Theodin spelling looks more natural. Don't know why.

Original poster

twogirls1more · 05/10/2011 16:37

Thanks thistlemuncher, I think that too. Would pronounce it "Thee o din" too. :)

OP posts:

Meteorite · 05/10/2011 17:49

You'd have two "wisdom" names as Sophie and Odin are both connected to wisdom.

Original poster

twogirls1more · 05/10/2011 19:22

Thanks for pointing that out Meteorite, good point and hadn't realised that!

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