Theobur - a made up name

[daisy2345]

Me and my other half really like Theo but we also really like the name Wilbur, but we are not as keen on Will as a nickname. So we came up with Theobur, Theo will be their nickname but just like Theobur as a full name, a bit more to it. Can't see it is a real name though, is it ok to make up a name??

Theobur sounds like a character from a particularly dorky online fantasy game (I'm assuming it's for a child rather than a dog).

Why do people think children would tease a child for Theobur but not Theobald?

This is just classic MN baby names. Oh that’s ridiculous. They’ll be bullied/will spent their life spelling it or explaining it. You should choose a proper name like [insert multisyllabic, hard to spell, obscure Greek name] instead. 🤦🏻‍♀️

If you want to use a made up one use it for yourself and let your kid have a real name.

Please define a 'real' name? A name that's been used for a certain number of years? A name from an official list?!

But this isn’t a predominantly North American site and this child presumably won’t be raised in North America. For what it’s worth, I’d much rather be called Laurel or Clarissa than Lorissa.

A name that isn’t a mashup of two recognisable names with historical use.

So Jackson? Real name. Thomas? Real name. Jaxtom? Made up.

Also Theobor doesn’t even sound nice. Why not just use one of the two names you actually like or find one you like from beginning to end?

Call the child Theo Wilbur.
Theo is fine on it’s own and doesn’t need lengthening.

don't make a name up - it’ll make things more difficult than necessary for your child.

Theo Wilbur is a lovely, strong, traditional name.

Theobur isn't a name any more than Banapple is. Remember you're naming a person who has to carry this for the next 80-odd years.

Theorbo is a type of stringed instrument, too close to that imo.

My DD knew a boy with just such a name when in sixth form. It was a huge embarrassment to him. Whenever he had to introduce himself to anyone new he always qualified it by saying that his parents hated him when he was born.

I knew a woman whose parents had done the same thing, couldn't choose between two names so gave her a mashup. She had the same opinion of it as you describe here.

OP, I don't think your son will thank you for this. Just call him Theo.

Why are Greek-style names more acceptable than North American-style names though?

Well personally I wouldn’t go with Theophilius either for that specific reason, I would expect a Theophilius to be Greek, since the name doesn’t really have a history of use here.

So Jackson? Real name. Thomas? Real name. Jaxtom? Made up.

What about Tovin, Barrack, Condoleezza etc? Are these not 'real' names?

If you want to call your child Theobur go for it. I’m just saying it wouldn’t be for me. I think it’s better to find a name you actually like than pick a bit from each name.

Barrack is an Arabic name, Condoleeza is a name derived from Italian words, it's common for African Americans to 'make up' names for their children that they perceive as strong or beautiful, as a way of embracing their culture in the face of adversity (slavery, civil rights movement).

Please educate yourself before throwing around the names of black people on a thread about stupid names.

Hi @merryhouse

We're trying to contact you. Please could you check your private messages/emails?

I think Theon is a good compromise as someone has suggested.

People will recognise it as a name from Game of Thrones and it isn't a million miles from Theo.

Please don't call him Theobur, that's about you rather than your DC.

My names unusual, I say things like this when I am meeting and addressing people I expect to be rude and dim.
I don’t actually mind my name, but it’s very tiresome to face ‘omg what we’re your parents thinking’ and people repeating over and over my name, laughing at it, telling me it’s ridiculous, asking me why I picked it, or telling me their name is also unusual so they know how it feels because they are a top 101 name the year they were born not a top 100 name and so on.
so I just say these things to head them off. The conversation moves on much quicker then.

i don’t do this when I think I’m meeting someone polite. and in that case my unusual name is never an issue.
just like I do not comment when I think someone’s name is painfully boring.

Isn't people recognising it from GoT a reason why it's bad? It's not exactly a positive character arc...

@Chaoslatte I doubt the majority of people will remember the specific character or what happened to him, but the name will probably trigger a "Oh yes heard that before " response, rather than the response that Theobar will get.

My names unusual, I say things like this when I am meeting and addressing people I expect to be rude and dim

what makes you think that people you’re meeting for the first time are going to be rude and dim? Surely you’d get to know them first before making the sort of sweeping generalisations you’re accusing them of making about your parents.

Makes me think of Theobro, which is niche but not a great connotation. Just call him Theo Wilbur.

I wonder if OP will take any notice of the name going down like a lead balloon here, or the fact that at least two people have already misspelled it on a thread with the name in the title (a sign of things to come, I’m sure).

What’s the point, it will be a life long pain in the arse for him -

just call him Theodore Wilbur nn Theo

I think it sounds quite nice. All names were made up once. I know an adult with a mashed up name and it hasn't caused them any problems.