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Baby names

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

Barnaby or Theodore

44 replies

TrulyMadlyBaby · 27/11/2018 19:41

We love both of these names because they are old fashioned and slightly unusual. I’d love to know your opinions or alternatives?

OP posts:
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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 27/11/2018 19:42

I wouldn’t call Theodore unusual. Loads around.

In any case, I prefer Barnaby.

ernjas · 27/11/2018 19:44

I actually ruled out Theodore on my list because it was far too common.

I'd go for Barnaby!

Dauphinois · 27/11/2018 19:46

Theo is a nicer nickname than Barney so I'd go for that.

starandson · 27/11/2018 19:58

Theodore is much nicer! I’ve never met one.

Messalena · 27/11/2018 20:03

Theodore

PatchworkElmer · 27/11/2018 20:03

Theodore.

LL83 · 27/11/2018 20:06

I know 4 Theo's born in the last 18 months, so Barnaby is more unusual of that's what you want. Both lovely names.

Princesspeachy0 · 27/11/2018 20:10

I really like Barnaby, not sure if it's just me but it does seem like a 'posh' name.
Barney is such a cute NN

finallychangedmyusername · 27/11/2018 20:10

Both are great but I know a lot of baby Theos and Theodores so would go for Barnaby.

halcyondays · 27/11/2018 20:18

Barnaby is a lovely name. Theo is nice but not sure about Theodore.

TrulyMadlyBaby · 27/11/2018 20:26

I keep going between them.
I think I prefer Barnaby as a full name but I didn’t love the nicknames initially although they’re definitely growing on me.
For Theodore we love the nickname Teddy but I expect Theo would be used regularly by others.

I haven’t met any children with either name so it’s interesting to see that Theo is very popular!

OP posts:
fairylightsandfire · 27/11/2018 20:47

I love the name Barnaby! Unusual but not weird and Barney is such a lovely nn 😊

Patienceisvirtuous · 27/11/2018 20:50

I have a Theo - there’s been an explosion of them since I had DS. Love the name though.

I’m not keen on Barney - sounds like a bear :/

Patienceisvirtuous · 27/11/2018 20:52

We didn’t opt for Theodore. Just Theo.

RedDwarves · 27/11/2018 20:54

Theodore.

Barnaby just reminds me of Barnaby Joyce, and that's a terrible association.

PinkSquidgyPig · 27/11/2018 20:55

MikeUniformMike · 27/11/2018 21:02

Barnaby. Don't like Theodore at all. Theo is ok. How about Theophilus?

DramaAlpaca · 27/11/2018 21:04

Prefer Barnaby myself.

I'd go for the one which has the nickname you like best, because both of them will get shortened.

MabelStark · 27/11/2018 21:08

I've got a Theodore - he's a teenager though! We intended Ted as a shortened version but Theo suits him better. I don't personally know any others (know 3 Leo's though!)
I've heard the name called out a couple of times when we've been out and about - but it's a great name so obviously it will be relatively popular.
I've never regretted our choice of name - he gets T, Teo, Theo, Theodorus and other variants... he's not too tolerant of those anymore though Smile

Catsandbootsandbootsandcats · 27/11/2018 21:09

I prefer Barnaby, but I'm biased as I have one (known as Barney)

Theodore is lovely too, and would have been on my list had my ex not had trouble saying the th sound!

hamzilla · 27/11/2018 21:13

Theodore is lovely.
I just can't imagine that a teenager would forgive you for naming him Barnaby.

bookishtartlet · 27/11/2018 21:21

People say Theodore is popular, but there are none in my local area or nursery other than my son, who is 3. We call him Teddy, or Ted as do the nursery etc. He knows his name is Theodore and we asked him what he wanted to be called at nursery and will do the same when he starts primary. I adore the name, always have.

ForAMinuteThere · 27/11/2018 21:44

Love both. Theo very popular where I am but I don't know if they are Theodores or not. Teddy is extremely popular now though and getting more so.

How about Edward and nn Ned?

OneTwistedAngel · 27/11/2018 22:00

Aw I love both! I agree that Barnaby is probably more uncommon though

Winterwonderland12 · 27/11/2018 22:28

Theodore is very popular.

Barnaby is more interesting and less common

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