Theola?

[MrsSneezy]

Our baby girl is due in 6 weeks and we've been stuck for names for ages. We came across Theola in our baby name book and both like it. Shortenings are Thea and Lola. I think it's unusual and pretty without being too 'out there', but would love opinions from others.

Our baby book says it's Greek and means gift from god. We have no Greek connection but if we stuck to English names that would be very limiting.

What do you think? Is it too out there? Does it sound made up even though it's not?

[Teapig]

Thanks frikadellen, glad it's not just me and DH who like it.

So now we're trying to agree on middle names. I think because we're using an unusual first name we need to balance it with a more common middle name. Our short list so far:

Theola Isobel Rose
Theola Sophie Rose
Theola Amity Rose (I know, Amityville Horror and all that but it's French for friendship and I think it's quite sweet)
Theola Sicily Rose (DH's choice, I'm a little sceptical)

Or we may just drop the Rose, it's not a family name and mega popular these days I know. I just think it helps the name flow.

[Frikadellen]

I like it

[Wishfulmakeupping]

Chose even

[Wishfulmakeupping]

I like Safia :)
Another name you might like is Athea I nearly choose it as a middle name I actually really like-Anthea but it's forever ruined by Anthea turner :(

[seeker]

What about Theodora?

[Teapig]

Thanks ladies. I love Thea too and think that will be the shortening we'll use. There's something about Theola though I just love.

It's great to have opinions from others though and also to know what might come up on predictive text when I start to send the baby arrival messages out!

[birdofthenorth]

Sounds like a girl called Thea who plays the viola, sorry! I do love Thea though, it is simple, beautiful and underused (don't know why when Theo is pretty popular). Lola is nice but faddy and has already had its day in my mind if I'm honest (most I know are aged between 5 and 10, not babies).

[nectarini1983]

I prefer Thea/ Tèa/ Tia....I don't think Theola is a pretty looking name....and predictive text changes it to "throat" on my phone.

[sittinginthesun]

I love Thea. Gorgeous name, and very strong sounding.

[Shybairns]

Our neighbours eldest is called Thea. I really like it.

[Theas18]

Fiola? ? Now that's not the spelling our the pronunciation at all ugh!

Go for Thea, you know you want too

[Viviennemary]

I don't like it that much. It doesn't really have a nice sound to it. But it's not awful.

[Bluestocking]

I don't like the "ola" ending. It makes the word sound like an early twentieth century brand name, like Victrola or Shinola. Thea is lovely, as is Theodora. I don't like Lola at all.

[Teapig]

Thanks lockets, I misremembered the meaning earlier. I've read that it means 'divine' or 'sent from god', seems to vary a bit from website to website. I like the meaning 'divine'.

grey lady, interesting that there are other variations, I hadn't heard of Theonie.

Oddly I really like the 'ola' ending which I think is the bit most people don't like.

Thanks for all the comments!

[thegreylady]

I know a Theonie which is similar-not keen on the 'ola' ending though Lola is quite pretty.

[Teapig]

Yes I think it's about 7/1 not in favour which I guess shows that many people won't like our name choice which isn't surprising as Theola is a very unpopular name in terms baby name stats.

But it's made me realise that I don't really mind that and as long as DH and I love the name it doesn't really matter. Weirdly it's made me feel more sure about choosing Theola. I just hope our little one will love her name and if not she can go by Thea or Lola which I think are also lovely.

[DoingItForMyself]

I prefer Thea tbh. Don't know why, I think maybe the 'ola' part reminds me of areola or Crayola!

Sorry, not especially helpful, but the 'ola' seems to be a bit of a thing for others too!

[KittenOfDoom]

I make it 1 for, 6 against so far.

[Teapig]

When I googled it came up as a name in its own right, interesting though to see where it might be derived from.

kitten your were right that it dosen't 'gift' in the meaning, I'd misremembered that. Rechecked baby book and it means 'sent from god' apparently.

It seems to have been most popular in the 1920s and 30s but now seems completely unused.

It's great to have everyone's views. I guess a lot of friends and family will have similar opinions on it but we love it and hopefully it will be a grower on friends and family.

[KittenOfDoom]

Ah right, see what's happened there - because anything with 'philia' in would go down really well nowadays, yeah?

[badtime]

I don't like it, reminds me of 'payola' (music chart fixing in the US).

I had a quick google, and it seems that it is derived from 'Theophilia' (you may be more familiar with the male name 'Theophilus'). Theo means god, philia means love, so the meaning would be to do with that, not gifts.