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Original poster

Thea - Opinions Please

28 replies

BaskingTrout · 26/02/2016 15:43

DC2 is due in the summer. If it's a girl, we will call her Thea. It's my all time favourite name, I love it and have always wanted to have a daughter with that name. I wanted it for DD1 but DH wasn't very keen. We called her something else.
But he's relented now (after it was pointed out to him that I had a 3 day labour ending in emcs, and that probably gave me the casting vote!!) and agreed that if DC2 is a girl, she will be Thea.

The discussion we are having is, although she would be known as Thea, should she have a longer version as her actual name? I would be perfectly happy just to call her Thea, which seems the simplest way, but DH would rather she had a longer name. So either Theodora or Dorothea. My choice of the 2 would be Theodora, mostly because she would still have the same first initial to save possible confusion.

If it makes a difference, the middle name is likely to be May (my Grandma's name) and our surname starts with B and has 2 syllables.

Any thoughts? thanks!

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figginz · 26/02/2016 15:45

Alethea is another option.

Quietwhenreading · 26/02/2016 15:47

Thea is absolutely beautiful. Personally I've always liked Dorothea but Theodora is lovely too.

I wouldn't expect Thea to be a shortening of anything really though - it's a standalone name too isn't it?

Sophronia · 26/02/2016 15:53

There's also Anthea or Althea. I think Dorothea is my favourite.

DontKillMyVibe · 26/02/2016 16:06

Thea is no my list but it's a stand alone name really isn't it rather than a nickname?

If you really want a longer name I suppose you could go with Anthea but I prefer Theodora. Most of all though I prefer Thea on its own Grin

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/02/2016 16:12

I prefer it as a stand alone name too. But if I had to go for a longer name I'd probably go for Althea and pray to God that no one misheard it as Anthea and wondered if I was an Anthea Turner fan!

WoodleyPixie · 26/02/2016 16:14

I know of one Thea but they pronounce it Taya. I think they are Greek or Cypriot heritage. I quite like it as Taya rather than feeaa?

Original poster
BaskingTrout · 26/02/2016 16:16

Thanks everyone!

DD1 has a name starting with A, as does DH, so I think another one might be too much. Also, I'm having slight Anthea Turner issues, so I think that one is a no!!

I would prefer to just have Thea too, I think its fine as a stand alone name. But if the compromise I have to make is that she gets a longer name instead, then I'm fine with that.

OP posts:
Original poster
BaskingTrout · 26/02/2016 16:17

x-post mitzy indeed!

OP posts:
MitzyLeFrouf · 26/02/2016 16:23

I think I prefer Dorothea but maybe you're right that it would be convenient to have the same initial for full name and short name.

Anyone else think Theodora and Dorothea sound like an Edwardian blue-stocking sleuthing duo who solve grisly murders in their pretty university town?

Just me then.

Mrspopper · 26/02/2016 16:27

I have a Thea as a stand alone name. I love it no regrets and don't wish she had it as part of a longer name. Go for it!

FraterculaArctica · 26/02/2016 16:28

Lovely. I'd use it as a standalone name.

Mrspopper · 26/02/2016 16:29

Out of interest if you don't mind saying what is your older DD called. I'm pregnant with another girl so need a name to go with thea!

Original poster
BaskingTrout · 26/02/2016 16:35

Anyone else think Theodora and Dorothea sound like an Edwardian blue-stocking sleuthing duo who solve grisly murders in their pretty university town

I think that I would be quite happy if that's what DD2 ended up doing!!

Obviously I will end up having a boy now! (Very conventional, popular, family name all picked out)

mrspopper DD1 is Alice.

OP posts:
needmorespace · 26/02/2016 16:39

Thea as a standalone name is beautiful.
I have a very grown up niece with this name and it has always received lots of compliments. And she is one of only two I have ever come across.

miaowli · 26/02/2016 16:42

Are you pronouncing it Thay-a or Thee-a? I've known both, and Thay-a's long name is Matthea (Ma-thay-a) French origin, I believe, and really pretty. Ma-thee-a works too, I think!

sunnydayinmay · 26/02/2016 16:45

Love the name Thea. I can see what you are saying about the initial issue, but think I prefer Dorothea as a full name.

I would just go for Thea on its own.

cingolimama · 26/02/2016 16:46

Both beautiful names, but I'd go with Theadora. It's my favourite opera. Also a historical figure (Empress of Byzantium) and an incredibly interesting woman.

Original poster
BaskingTrout · 26/02/2016 16:46

Thee-a

OP posts:
daisydalrymple · 26/02/2016 16:50

Dd has a thea in her class. The name really suits her, it's cute, but has that classic, elegant sound, and will definitely grow with her. When her mother is shouting at her (often) (impatient mum not naughty typecast due to name or anything I hasten to add Smile), she shouts Theodora, and I always think it doesn't sound as pretty as thea.

Ikeatears · 26/02/2016 16:51

Alithea
Cynthia

Ikeatears · 26/02/2016 16:55

Sorry, that should have been Elithia.

KatieT12 · 26/02/2016 17:19

If your DD is just Alice, id go with Thea? What's the difference? It's not like you went with Alison, etc.

However, I prefer Dorothea, I think...

thebiscuitindustry · 26/02/2016 19:58

I like Anthea and Theodora.

MissTurnstiles · 26/02/2016 20:10

I LOVE Dorothea. Fabulous literary connection to Middlemarch.

Mclaren37 · 27/02/2016 02:38

Love it. And prefer it as purely Thea.

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