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Baby names

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

Original poster

Althea?

22 replies

oodlesofdoodles · 30/10/2011 18:35

DD2 is two days new and we're going gaga with trying to think of a name. She will be tall so we I like the idea of a tall flower name. (Althea is the official name for Hollyhock.)
What do people here think? Are we losing the plot?

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frutilla · 30/10/2011 18:38

I prefer Alethea.

HappyCamel · 30/10/2011 18:47

Alethea is much nicer. Talitha is a v lovely, similar name.

meala · 30/10/2011 18:49

I think it's pretty and I like the Althea spelling best. Alethea looks a bit made up IMO.

Congratulations on your new DD

Trills · 30/10/2011 18:50

Love it.

Have you read this book by any chance?

Trills · 30/10/2011 18:51

Even though I know a RL Alethea and not a RL Althea I agree that the extra e makes it sound more made up.

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly · 30/10/2011 18:52

Or Thea? Love Althea though

Original poster
oodlesofdoodles · 30/10/2011 19:44

thanks, I found it in my encyclopaedia of plants, where it's Althaea. Not heard of Alethea. I can imagine we might shorten it to Thea
Is there an Althea in the book Trills?

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Original poster
oodlesofdoodles · 30/10/2011 19:48

Before she was born we were thinking Elizabeth. It's rubbish calling her 'the baby' but she'll have her name for life or I would feel awful if we got it so wrong she wanted to change it.

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Psammead · 30/10/2011 19:52

Althea is very pretty.

HattiFattner · 30/10/2011 19:55

I know an Althea (al-TEY-a), an Althea (al-THEE-a)

(and an Alethea (a-LEE-thee-a).

I prefer the first pronunciation.

Original poster
oodlesofdoodles · 30/10/2011 20:28

Wow Hatti - three assorted Altheas. |I don't know anyone with the name which is maybe why I'm dithering. Are they adults? What do they do? Where are you?

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Trills · 30/10/2011 20:35

I would say al-THEE-a

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly · 30/10/2011 22:02

I would say, and prefer, Al-thee-a

YougreatPumpkinmousse · 30/10/2011 22:05

I know an Althea - she is an old lady now but was very tall, glamourous and frightfully posh.

hester · 30/10/2011 22:05

Uptown top ranking.

I really like Thea.

MyMamaToldMe · 30/10/2011 22:19

Love the name Althea - very pretty

meala · 31/10/2011 00:20

I would say Al - thee - ah too.

If you're a fan of the old Chalet School books, there's one book named after the character Althea here

Original poster
oodlesofdoodles · 31/10/2011 16:02

Thank you everyone. She can read the chalet school book when she's older.

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WestsAwake · 31/10/2011 16:42

Every second girl of West Indian descent was called this in the 70s Grin

Cool name.

LongWayRound · 31/10/2011 20:38

Alethea is Greek, meaning truth: not made up at all. Althea is also Greek, meaning good/pure/wholesome/healer.
I like them both :)

jasonlovesme · 31/10/2011 20:40

Reminds me of Maths teachers. Make of that what you will

Original poster
oodlesofdoodles · 01/11/2011 10:10

Thanks for replying - I would be quite happy with a healingu maths teacher daughter.

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