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Original poster

Is name Theo too popular?

52 replies

Carmelova85 · 21/10/2020 04:43

I love name Theo/Theodore but worried that is too popular. I’m FTM, no exposure to any other young kids, nursery or school so it’s hard to say if it’s really so popular in my area.

What is your experience with this name? Do you know a lot of Theo’s?

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micc · 21/10/2020 04:51

It looks like its number 16 in the top.100 in the UK. I know there was one in my DDs nursery and now there is 1 in the reception class. I also know 1 grown up Theo! It's a really nice name, I think it's well known but not to common IMO.

midnightstar66 · 21/10/2020 04:56

I only know one and he's of Cypriot heritage where it's a popular name ( and I work in a large school with 2 dc with wide social circles in an even larger one, and friends up and down the country ). I don't think the charts are terribly accurate past the first few as it seems to vary hugely by area.

Katgolde · 21/10/2020 05:12

I only know of one young Theo.

FreeAcorns · 21/10/2020 05:40

In my area it certainly is. I know a ton of Theos from babies to teens. It really does vary hugely though depending on where you are.

garlictwist · 21/10/2020 05:41

Does it matter? If you like the name use it.

MilkandWater · 21/10/2020 05:46

It’s lovely. My only caution is inspired by my godson, a Theo. Because of where he lives, he’s very often ‘Feo’ PLUS one set of grandparents has a different regional accent that means they pronounce Th’ as T, so he’s ‘Teo‘. So a lot of people in his life can’t or won’t pronounce his name

Copernico · 21/10/2020 06:04

I think it’s a lovely name. It’s very common amongst my circle.

ProperVexed · 21/10/2020 06:17

Lovely name....but there are many in the primary school where I work.

TeddyBeans · 21/10/2020 06:22

DS is one of two at his nursery. I work in a primary school and there hasn't been a single Theo in the past two academic years. Did have a Teddy though

SeanCailleach · 21/10/2020 07:30

Not so popular that you'd get four in a class, but enough that he might have a same name friend and feel like he fits in.

Yes they get Feo, Teo, Deo, Tayo. Be prepared for that.

Original poster
Carmelova85 · 21/10/2020 08:26

I can see it is different to everyone. Probably region by region...

Anyone from Surrey?

OP posts:
sunflowers246 · 21/10/2020 08:52

Yes very popular.

Soontobe60 · 21/10/2020 08:53

I know several Theo’s, I’m a teacher. It’s very popular in my neck of the woods.

ttcAlex · 21/10/2020 09:21

There are two Theos in my DD's class. I'm in NW England.

Fishfingersandwichplease · 21/10/2020 09:30

I know 2 of primary school age, think it is a lovely name and def not too common where l live

Thatwentbadly · 21/10/2020 09:31

Yes

Sally872 · 21/10/2020 09:32

My friends boy was the first Theo I heard of he is 3.5 years. Since then I know 5 more.

yumscrumfatbum · 21/10/2020 09:40

I have a Theo, he is 19. It has become a little more popular in the last 5 years or so. When we named him we had a few raised eyebrows certainly wouldn't be considered too out there now!

LittleTiger007 · 21/10/2020 10:42

It’s a beautiful name! If you like it use it.

whatgoesbumpinthenight · 21/10/2020 10:46

@yumscrumfatbum same here, similar age as well. There was definitely a few tuts and some more vocal "you can't call your son that". I think it was outside the top 1000 back then.

Lovely name, it deserves to be back in the mix.

ZebraKid71 · 21/10/2020 10:50

I know loads, aside from Freddie it is the most popular name in my kids nurseries/schools/general networks.

iano · 21/10/2020 10:51

Op I was worried about this and we went for it anyway. So far I've not met a Theo in his age group. A few older ones, but that's it. go for it!!

Whatsyourflava · 21/10/2020 11:03

@Carmelova85 you can check your exact region on the ONS site and see the exact number of Theo's born in 2018 or 2019 in Surrey. Scroll down on this link and remember to look at both Theo and Theodore

For what it's worth I actually don't know any

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/articles/babynameswhereyoulivecouldshapewhatyoucallyourbaby/2018-09-21

NickMarlow · 21/10/2020 11:53

There are 2 Theos in dds class. I also know an older one.

Lots of younger Teds and Teddys around but not so many Theos.

MikeUniformMike · 21/10/2020 12:04

Last year, Theo was the 11th most popular baby boy's name in the UK and Theodore was 41th most popular, up 22 places from the previous year, so that's probably quite a few Theos.

If you like it, use it. I don't like Theodore at all but Theo is ok. You could use Theophilus or something if you want a slightly different name.