Maria Theresa

[chickenfactory]

Too holy sounding?
Can't decide on a middle name for our 2day old, any other suggestions?

[RaRaZ]

...except she'd probably get bullied at school, Kelda , and might be a little too keen to shed her holier-than-though persona when she hits the age of 13...

[kelda]

Really? Bullied for having the name Maria Theresa?

[kelda]

But then if there are people on mumsent calling the name 'holier then thoguh' then I am not surprised if their children do turn out to be bullies because of a child's name.

[RaRaZ]

Lol. There's a big difference between thinking a name sounds 'holier than THOU' and actually picking on someone because of it - I hope you realise that.

It may be ok where you live and where you send your child/ren to school, and I think there'd be a big difference between state and private and RC and non-RC schools too, but I certainly wouldn't give any of my children a 'saintly' sounding name because I know that around here it would set them up to be picked on, especially in their teenage years. Doesn't really matter what would happen where I live or where you live though - it's where the OP lives that matters here.

[kelda]

What exactly is the problem with a Catholic name? Do you also have a problem with Islamic/Jewish names?

[TheBirdsFellDownToDingADong]

RaRaZ As the OP has said she is Catholic I think we can presume her acquaintances would have no problem with her child being called Maria.

I have a huge problem with chavvy/surname/made up/uniquely spelled names but to presume a child would be bullied because of having a name which has been around for millennia is frankly a little bit mental.

[RaRaZ]

No, I don't. Nor do I have a problem with Catholic names. I think you're missing the point somewhat. The OP asked if it too saintly sounding. Several of us replied that we thought it was. I couldn't give a monkey's about the origin of the name, but I do think it sounds too much like a nun and therefore, for me, it's not the right name. I've also stated that, in my area, it would likely inspire bullying. Yes, so might a million other things, like having red hair or speaking 'posh', but personally I wouldn't choose a name I thought my child would be picked on for. I'm not saying I'm right, but the OP asked for opinions and that was mine. I really don't see your problem.

[bridgetsmum]

I love it, probably cos that's my name,
But I'm Maria Teresa, no 'h'

I was named after Maria in West Side Story, don't know where the Teresa came from!
Mx

[RaRaZ]

TheBirds : Did she? Sorry, I must've missed that. So yes, fair point: she's likely to be attending a school where that won't be a problem.

However, if the OP asks for an opinion on whether it's too saintly, what's wrong with giving an opinion? I think it is; you may not.

[kelda]

I don't think it is particularly relevant where the OP lives. Unless you live on the moon, we live in a multicultural society with many different names.

Parents from all over the world use their cultural heritage and religion as influences for their children's names.

In my son's class there a Maria and a Moses. Side by side. I really hope that no-one will ever think it is acceptable for either child to be bullied because of their name.

[bridgetsmum]

P.s. I'm Irish Catholic too, but don't use my middle name in everyday so I'm just known as Maria

[HahaHarrie]

Goodness RaRaZ, how depressing you live in an area that is so prejudice, ignorant, unaccepting of others and limited! Not doubt it is the parents attitude that the children are picking up on? Woe betide anyone being different by the sounds of things.

"I've also stated that, in my area, it would likely inspire bullying. Yes, so might a million other things, like having red hair or speaking 'posh', but personally I wouldn't choose a name I thought my child would be picked on for. "

[Elquota]

Saying the name "sounds Catholic" definitely isn't a judgement either way, it's just an observation.

[kelda]

Exactly Elquota. It is a Catholic name. And no-one should be scared of using it just because it is Catholic.

[pinkje]

Maria Grace (as suggested up thread) is beautiful.

[MurderOfCrows]

Forget the bullying, it's simply an uninspired, boring name.

[TheBirdsFellDownToDingADong]

I know! Call he Maria-Maddison or Maria-Chardonnay (don't forget the hypen!!!! Tres important!) Then she'll fit in everywhere.

I think that as the OP has also said her baby is already called Maria and that she is looking for a middle name, we could perhaps leave the obnoxious comments about her choice out of it, no?

[TheBirdsFellDownToDingADong]

I like Maria Elena (as suggested upthread) as well. They sound lovely together.

[missnevermind]

Lovely name.
I am an Irish Catholic by descent and also a Theresa.

And that is Theresa - with an 'H' - full Irish spelling is what people are told when questioning the spelling.

Middle names are not used in day to day conversation. Don't let that sway your choice.

[squoosh]

I'm a Catholic and think it's too Catholic.

[squoosh]

Maria on it's own is gorgeous.

Theresa has never and will never be gorgeous.

[PoppyAmex]

Good god, what next; too Black/Jewish/Muslin/Gay?

What's "too Catholic"? What degree of catholicism is acceptable?

I'm baffled by some of the comments on this thread.