Maria Theresa

[chickenfactory]

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

[MrRected]

Very holy, with a strong Catholic feel.

[Elquota]

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

I've heard "too Biblical" a hundred times more often than "too Catholic" on the baby names threads, but no-one seems to comment...

[sweetkitty]

I like Maria Grace the best.

I don't like Maria Theresa as thy are too similar both ending with an -a

I know quite a few little Maria's and Theresa's all catholic

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Love threads like this. Very handy for showing you who you should avoid on here...

[Naoko]

Anyone who thinks that's too catholic would be horrified by my father's family, he and his four sibilings all have 'Maria' as one of their (several) middle names, males and females alike. :o Catholic area outside the UK, born in a city which has the Virgin Mary as its patron saint. I'm not Catholic myself, but no one would bat an eyelid at 'Maria Theresa' there. I think it's lovely myself, as are most of the other suggestions being bandied around in this thread. :)

[Panzee]

Will she be choosing a confirmation name when she's older? It's up to you of course but you may feel three "very holy" names would be too much.

[squoosh]

My first name, middle name, confirmation name all combine to make me sound like the holiest member of an enclosed order!

I've just noticed the Theresa is a middle name, in that case use it.

I know a family where the daughters are called Mary Catherine, Margaret Angela, and there are a couple of others too I think. They go by their full names all the time. I think it just sounds so clunky and nun like.

[Elquota]

I think "too Catholic" is just a comment made on the context of what the OP's looking for. I'm sure no-one meant that a Catholic-sounding name was a poor choice in general!

Many people decide to choose a name which reflects their own culture or religion. It doesn't mean they don't like other cultures or religions, does it?

Others just pick a name they like the sound of, whether or not it's connected to their beliefs or heritage.

It's just personal choice and there's nothing wrong with either of the above.

There are threads from time to time, from OPs who are looking for names which reflect their background, or who'd prefer to avoid names which reflect a background that isn't theirs, and this doesn't usually attract comment.

If someone's looking for a Muslim name then they're unlikely to pick a name which most people would associate with Buddhism/Hinduism/Sikhism/Quakerism. So, many names would be "too Buddhist/Hindu/Sikh" not in themselves, but in the context of what they were looking for. It doesn't mean they have anything against the other backgrounds, just that they'd rather refer to their own cultural history than someone else's.

I think since the OP has expressed reservations about using a name which reminds people of a specific religion, then that's why people are saying her suggested name sounds "too Catholic" in the context of the OP's preferences. That's all.

[PoppyAmex]

So I'm sure you'd be perfectly comfortable substituting "Catholic" by any other cultural/racial/religious group, right?

[squoosh]

I feel more than comfortable saying 'too Catholic' as I am a Catholic, I wouldn't feel qualified to make a 'too' comment on a group that I wasn't a member of.

[Elquota]

So I'm sure you'd be perfectly comfortable substituting "Catholic" by any other cultural/racial/religious group, right?

If it's a case of "too XYZ for what you're looking for" then yes, why not?

[RubyOnRails]

I'm a catholic and I get really irritated about the casual bigotry in this country, none more obvious than o. This board right now. Shameful.

[KobayashiMaru]

I don't see any. Bit over sensitive?

[Minoan]

How about Maria Stella?

[Justfornowitwilldo]

As the OP has actually stated that she is catholic and was asking if the names sounded 'too holy', not too catholic, does that change your opinion?

[Justfornowitwilldo]

But don't let facts get in the way of your defence of acceptable bigotry.

[fluffydressinggown]

It is my Mum's name. Most people don't really come across her middle name so it is a bit of a non-issue. I like it.

She is Catholic and was named for the saints btw. And I do agree that it sounds like a nun's name but that is no bad thing.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

The way it sounds out loud makes me think of Mother Theresa. Also,doesn't flow that well because of the ah endings.

Everybody is getting a bit touchy

[takeaway2]

I'm catholic. My confirmation name is Therese. Just not in the passport of course. My dd is Grace. Growing up I had catholic friends who were Marie Christina and Marie Celina. Pretty names!

What's the problem having a name that's Catholic or Holy sounding? Aren't most first names Christian in origin (at least in the uk, and at least the traditional ones). Pick up any name book and plenty of names are saints or have meanings of some virtue or positive thing....

[Elquota]

As the OP has actually stated that she is catholic and was asking if the names sounded 'too holy', not too catholic, does that change your opinion?

Is it incorrect to assume that holiness to a Catholic might be mainly based on Catholicism?

I don't know who you were addressing, but if you read the thread, I wasn't among those saying the name was "too Catholic", I said it was "very Catholic".

If someone wants a name associated with Catholicism/holiness in a Catholic context then Maria Theresa is a wonderfully Catholic/holy combination. If they don't, then the level of religious connotation is going to be too high for their criteria. These are neutral observations with no judgement on the religion per se at all.

I have no particular views on Catholicism either way. I just come on these threads to try to help people find names they like!

[sashh]

What's the problem having a name that's Catholic or Holy sounding?

It can be a problem if you don't want to be labelled and unfortunately in some parts of the UK it can help or hinder you in later life.

[Babel1111]

Oooh I enjoy lotties suggestion of Maria Cecilia! Less holy sounding, but still rolls off the tongue in the same way.

[SeaWave]

At school and now I hardly no any of my friends middle names. so dont worry about being bullied etc, just use it if its a family name and you like it. Don't understand thefuss about middle names, you never say your full name. Even getting married in church just used first names

[Elquota]

Would you say "oooh no, maybe it sounds a bit Jewish?"

This happens all the time on these boards, as people often say a name is "too Biblical", i.e. its too Judaeo-Christian for their tastes.

No-one ever complains about that though. Will you do so next time?