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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Should I change her name? Please help :(

101 replies

Mangold · 09/08/2019 17:43

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if I could get some genuine, blunt advice from Mumsnet. Please give me your honest opinion. And I would like to say first that I hope that this post does not offend or hurt any user in any way, because I'm just one person who's searching for others' opinions, and I would hate to offend others.

So the problem is, I have a baby girl who is only three months old and I'm currently wondering if her name doesn't suit her. Her name is Thalia. DH has been supportive and told me that if I'm unhappy with the name, he is willing to change it and come up with a new shortlist.

I used to love the name, and I still do. But I was on the internet a few days ago, and I saw a photo shoot of the nine muses (one of their names is Thalia). The model who was named Thalia was a Chinese model, and she looked very beautiful in the photo. However, I noticed the comment section below and most of them were talking about how 'Thalia' is a Greek name, the mythological figure is also from a Greek background, and therefore the model to portray her should not be Chinese or Black. Several people were showing their agreement, but it really troubled me. The baby is three-fourths Chinese and one-fourth Russian, and she does not have any Greek roots whatsoever. Her features will probably resemble that of a Chinese woman in the future, and I really, really don't want anyone to look at her and think, 'The name does not really belong/fit with her'.

I've never had these concerns before, especially since she was born in the States and there are many Chinese-Americans here who have all kinds of names. But I didn't know that the name would have such strong roots and that some people would think it does not mix well with people from a different background. The comments were definitely not racist or anything, they were just stating the facts and weren't aggressive by any means.

I don't know, my mind is completely jumbled and I'm not sure what to do. It's only been three months, do you think I should change the name to something more neutral? I know that a lot of people think 'If you love it, stick with it', but those comments keep on nagging me and won't let me rest. Please give me your honest opinions, I would truly appreciate them.

OP posts:

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RubbingHimSourly · 09/08/2019 17:46

Most names have origins from far away origins.

I think Thalia is a beautiful name and you should keep it.

Wildorchidz · 09/08/2019 17:47

Honestly? I think you need to not be so affected by comments you have read on an internet page that you feel you have to change your daughter’s name.
What will happen if you change it and then find more comments about that name ?
Thalia is a lovely name.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 09/08/2019 17:47

Keep it.

Small babies rarely suit a name.

Cocobean30 · 09/08/2019 17:48

I think you’re really overthinking it. No one who meets your child is going to be reading in to the Greek roots. If you no longer think the name suits her then go ahead and change it, but don’t let a lot of internet opinions ruin it for you. You only found out about this as you were looking at a specifically Greek article otherwise you probably never would have found out

Barbarafromblackpool · 09/08/2019 17:49

Keep it

MikeUniformMike · 09/08/2019 17:49

Many names are from other cultures. Do you expect every Sarah to have a Jewish connection, every William to have German ancestry etc.
You can name your child whatever you like.
Thalia is a pretty name with a good association.
I suspect that it might be a bit of post-baby blues playing tricks with your mind.

Stick to Thalia.

LuckyLou7 · 09/08/2019 17:50

Thalia is a beautiful name and I'm sure your daughter suits it. Don't worry about her not having any Greek heritage. Lots of us have names from Greek mythology and aren't Greek. My children all have biblical names and I'm an atheist.

dementedma · 09/08/2019 17:50

I think you are worrying about nothing. Thalia is a lovely name and most people will have no idea of its Greek roots. Children of all sorts of backgrounds have all sorts of names and no one bothers, just look at some of the names on the baby names thread. I know a little Burmese girl with a name very very similar to Thalia and nobody questions its, or her ethnicity. Please relax. Your baby sounds gorgeous. Stick with Thalia, its lovely

bumblingalonghappily · 09/08/2019 17:53

Definitely keep the name! It's beautiful and you had no doubts beforehand. People will always make comments- I've picked out a name for my as yet unborn son- the other day there was a thread which turned into people just stating names they hated and his name came up multiple times- I really wouldn't let it worry you- if you love it then that's what matters (and the name I have picked is of German origin and as far as I'm aware neither myself nor DH have any German roots).

Dec2019mumtobe · 09/08/2019 17:53

Stick with Thalia for all the reasons why ^ say above

Atlasta · 09/08/2019 17:54

The comments really shouldn't bother you BUT they DO. If you really can't let the comments of these strangers go and it is going to be playing on your mind then change it.
I personally wouldn't. My DD has a name that is very much associated with a culture to which we have no links.

Buddyelf · 09/08/2019 17:55

You’re over thinking this. My dd has a name with Arabic origins and I am white with mostly Scottish and Irish heritage. We picked it because it’s a beautiful name with a beautiful origin. Keep it, it’s a lovely name.

Marcipex · 09/08/2019 17:57

It’s a pretty name and I’m amazed that the Greek heritage matters to
anyone. How many mixed heritage girls are called Chloe, for example. Or Cassie. And apparently Persephone is the new fashionable name !
Don’t change your babies name just for that.

MimiSunshine · 09/08/2019 18:01

My daughter had a Greek name. No Greek here either.

I wouldn’t immediately have known Thalia is of Greek origin but I suppose I could guess at it.
I think it’s a lovely name that would really suit a child / woman of mixed heritage as it feels slightly exotic to me but not specifically of any one culture

KateUrrer · 09/08/2019 18:02

I was thinking about UK "traditional" names recently.

Many of them, especially if you look at the group that are not Gaelic or Welsh origin, are from outside sources.

Thinking of England there are hardly any of the Norse or Anglo Saxon names left from pre-1066, Edward is the only one that springs to mind that doesn't sound like a pseudonym for a member of a reenactment society.

Redwinestillfine · 09/08/2019 18:03

I love it. Unique and gorgeous. Nothing not to like. She'll thank you for it when she's older

squee123 · 09/08/2019 18:03

presumably their point was specific to the the fact of it being an inaccurate representation of the nine muses not saying you shouldn't be called Thalia if you're not Greek. Different points to my mind

daisypond · 09/08/2019 18:03

Agree with everyone else. Stick with Thalia. Lovely name.

Colourfulest · 09/08/2019 18:06

Keep it.

gollygoodnessgraciousme · 09/08/2019 18:09

I know a little girl of Chinese heritage called Talia. Really suits her!

AbbyHammond · 09/08/2019 18:10

I have a Hebrew origin name and my children have Greek, Hebrew & Germanic names. Our heritage is actually Celtic I don't think it matters.

The commenters were actually talking about a Chinese model playing a Greek character, rather than about the origin of the name.

KateUrrer · 09/08/2019 18:15

My husband has a French origin name, mine is from Hebrew via Greek and French.

My kids have some Latin, French mash up.

Starlight39 · 09/08/2019 18:16

I know a little girl whose father is Thai called Tahlia and it totally suits her! It wouldn't even occur to me that a person called Thalia should look greek!

KateUrrer · 09/08/2019 18:17

We are not in the least French by the way.

Loveislandaddict · 09/08/2019 18:18

Keep it. It’s a lovely name, and most people won’t know its Greek origin.

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