Should I change her name? Please help :(

[Mangold]

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.

I think it is lovely.

In my experience lots of Chinese children (and adults) have non Chinese names and so I not think it unusual at all.

You're over thinking it. It's a fab name and not too common. Great choice! It's on my list.

Thalia is a wonderful name. You are overthinking it a bit, if its a beautiful name and it suits her then keep it.
I'd happily use that name for any daughter of mine.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I often think it's odd when parents choose a name from a culture they aren't at all connected to, but I think it's a bit different with Classical Greek names because it's an ancient culture and it's shared / enjoyed across the whole world.

Thalia is a pretty name, and most people won't immediately make the Greek muse connection anyway. I would stick with it, since you still like the name.

My name is a derivative of Tatiana, which is Russian.

Absolutely no hint of that in my heritage- I'm English/Asian.

If you like the name, then go for it. While I know the roots in Greek mythology, a lot of people use names with origins from other cultures so don't honestly see the problem.

My daughters middle name means tiger, but she isn't one. Keep the name you love and don't worry about it. Thalia is a gorgeous name and it suits your sweet baby girl perfectly.

Don't change your babies name because of these internet comments.
I have a relation who is a Thalia, not a smidgeon of greek in her, but other strong ethnic backgournd which is veyr obvious. She is grown up now and ahs never ever had anyone comment about her name being Greek.
It is a name, in use today, just like Hebrew names, french names etc.

Your beauttiful baby doesn't need to be Greek to use the name!

The reason for the criticisms was that the model was supposed to represent the Greek muse Thalia. You are not pretending your daughter is a Greek muse but are just using a beautiful name ( for a beautiful child) that originated in Ancient Greece.
I can guarantee that no one will ever look at your gorgeous girl and wonder why she is called Thalia.
If you like the name stick with it and stop worrying OP.
Best wishes to you and your DD and DH.

Antonin is right. The reason for the (still silly, and somewhat racist) posts was not that a Chinese person can't have that name. But that the Chinese model was representing/acting as the Greek goddess herself.

So you have totally got it wrong. Thalia is for your child is just as good as any name with its roots from thousands of years ago. My name is originally Jewish. I'm not. My daughter's is French. She isn't.

Thalia is a beautiful name

My son’s name has Greek origins. He’s ginger. He still suits his name! Most of the British “classic” names have their roots in Greek language so I really wouldn’t worry.

Keep it.
Being American if anyone did encounter her name and believe it to be too greek for her she will learn american debate. It would make her fit in more in america as she will be good at something that i'm sure is purely American.
If anyone asks you about it you tell them the story about how you found the name and liked it.
I have a very unique name. No one in my country, especially of my gender has this name. Everyone thinks it is a lovely name even though it comes from a country I have never visited and have no known roots to.

Omg this is what I called my daughter. But spelt Talia. Pronounce tally Lee uh the only thing I regret is that I hate how some people pronunciation of her name is tarhleeah. We call her Tally for short though which I really love now.

Oh love. Don't worry about it. My name means "born on Christmas Day" but my birthday is in July

Thalia is a lovely name, leave it be.

Another vote for keeping Thalia.

Beautiful name (whichever of the pronunciations you went for).

I think it’s just thinly veiled racism.

No-one complains when Cleopatras aren’t Egyptian do they?

I’ve got an Ancient Greek name and I’ve never been to Ancient Greece.

And yes Thalia is a lovely name.

I make a point of not commenting on baby name threads but for this one I'll break my rule and say go for it. It's a lovely name.

Stick to Thalia!
DH and DS have Old Testament names which are very “traditional” English names now, but we have no Jewish roots.
DD’s name is a well established “English” name, but is a actually a corruption of a French word. We’re not French either.

Names all originate from some culture or another. It’s a small world now, cultures mix and mingle and influence all rwaxh fat and wide. Thalia for. Greek/Russian child would not cause me to raise an eyebrow at all.

100% response of keep the name, as it’s a lovely name, and it’s what you chose. 😊

Lovely name, i would not change it

I know an adult Thalia. She's from Bristol. The name suits her perfectly.

Helen is a Greek name. Not as nice as Thalia though.

I changed my baby’s name at a similar age so I came here expecting to say go for it. But having read your post I don’t think so - Thalia is a beautiful name and on our shortlist with zero Greek heritage. People are complete idiots online - they’re probably mostly bored or finding a way to be racist without feeling like they’re being racist....

No one criticises English Francescas etc.

Thalia is a really beautiful name

Beautiful name. Keep it x