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Baby names

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

Is my girls name choice really as bad as people are making out!?

156 replies

NameChanged15729 · 19/08/2021 20:19

I’m starting to get paranoid. Me and dh are due a baby girl early next year and have decided on the name Theodora. It’s a name we both love and feel suits our family.
We like that it’s the name of a character in The Haunting of Hill House. We also have a Lydia after the character in beetlejuice Grin.

However when I’ve been asked about names all but two people have pulled faces and one family member said it was a ridiculous name.
I don’t really understand what’s ridiculous about it so thought I’d ask here. Is it really that bad?

OP posts:
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Eileen101 · 19/08/2021 20:58

Beautiful name! I only told my DCs names to a select few before they were born... I had to be confident that the only comment would be "lovely!"

Blossomgates · 19/08/2021 20:58

Love, love, love, I researched our family tree during lockdown and we have an ancestor with this name. Dora is my preferred NN.

Whogotdakeystomabeamer · 19/08/2021 20:59

I love it, and all of the shortenings too

KittenKong · 19/08/2021 21:00

I like Thea for a girl.

lottiegarbanzo · 19/08/2021 21:01

That is a really great name. Not just ok but great.

She can be Thea or Dora, or the whole thing.

Never tell people the name before they meet the baby. It's just asking for trouble. As soon as a name becomes a real person's name, it takes on a whole new character and association and feels completely different. Just try to forget you ever told them.

Goldbar · 19/08/2021 21:01

Love it.

Standrewsschool · 19/08/2021 21:04

Lovely name and goes well with Lydia.

Robbie Williams daughter is called Theodora.

AnyaMoondial · 19/08/2021 21:04

I really like it.

NavyBerry · 19/08/2021 21:04

It is beautiful!

Garriet · 19/08/2021 21:05

Lovely name.

QuornSausagesAreTheDevilsPenis · 19/08/2021 21:07

If I'd had a girl she would have been either Theodora or Dorothea (which are obvs basically the same but different order!) so I may be biased! Hoes well with her sister's name too.

We never discussed names with anyone with any of our dc before they arrived though. People tend to be a bit more polite about things when it's a done deal.

HalleLouja · 19/08/2021 21:07

My grandma was a Theodora and her nickname was Lola….. not sure why. 😊

Good name and not that outlandish.

Ilovecharliecat · 19/08/2021 21:08

I love it! but I have a Theo so I'm slightly biased

fiveminustwocats · 19/08/2021 21:11

It's a lovely name OP. Your baby, your choice. Ignore everyone else's opinion (except your DH). People really are rude - I would never criticize a name someone else had chosen (maybe in my head, but not to their face).

Tulips15 · 19/08/2021 21:12

Its not bad but I prefer Thea,( I maybe biased though as Dd is called Thea)

GreyhoundG1rl · 19/08/2021 21:13

Thea is beautiful.

Tallisimo · 19/08/2021 21:13

I know a Theodora. No one ever calls her by her full name, she is always Theo. It’s a nice enough name, but be prepared for people to shorten it in different ways.

NameChanged15729 · 19/08/2021 21:13

Thank you so much everyone!

People not liking the name because it’s just not there cup of tea but otherwise fine doesn’t bother me. Everyone has different preferences! I was starting to wonder if I was saddling her with something she’d want to change the minute she turned 16 though and that concerned me.

I’m glad that it’s nearly 100% neutral or liked. I won’t be telling anybody else though. I’ve learned my lesson on that one.

OP posts:
TaraRhu · 19/08/2021 21:16

Great make - even better book!

RestingStitchFace · 19/08/2021 21:17

Not my taste but it's OK. Not wildly ridiculous or inappropriate.

Kingstonmumof1 · 19/08/2021 21:20

My first thought was lovely- nn Teddy.

GoodnightGrandma · 19/08/2021 21:21

I don’t like the name, but I like Teddy for short.

GingerBreadTeddy · 19/08/2021 21:21

I love it

2bazookas · 19/08/2021 21:22

It's a charming name.

mintich · 19/08/2021 21:23

I love it!