Thoughts on these 3 names?

[rachelhowell]

Hiya! We are expecting soon and have shortened our potential names down to 3 options. Our top three at the minute are Thea, Willow and Maeve. My partner and I both wanted something a bit more unique but not too uncommon to the point where she could be potentially bullied. Our surname is Howell if that helps with any opinions on these names.
See my favourite is Willow but my partner says it doesn't work well with our surname because of all the L's and W's but I don't see too much of an issue with it. My parents both prefer Thea, which I do adore as well so its a hard decision. Then my partner's favourite is Maeve, so my immediate family and all my friends have different opinions on each name so its very hard to make a decision. I know everybody on here is very honest and brutal so please let me know your thoughts. This is my first pregnancy so picking a good name is extremely important to us! Also if you have any ideas of names that are similar to these three I would be happy to hear them.

Thea is a gorgeous choice

My friend’s golden retriever is called Willow. I honestly think it’s more of a dog’s name.

exactly. With the surname too, I picture a dog howling at the moon.

The other 2 names are lovely tho. Not ones I would choose, but still lovely.
hopefully, this thread hasn’t made naming your daughter more difficult, and you will be happy with what you decide on.

You seem to like vowel digraphs.

What about Phoebe?

Phoebe Howell

Sounds like a radio producer or an editor

My little girls middle name is Thea but spelt Thia.

I really like Maeve.

I know a willow so can kinda visualise this child when I hear it.

I like all three but where I live Thea would defo be Fia so that would put me off personally

I agree with your DH - too many ‘l’s with your surname for Willow. I also like Maeve better than Thea. Thea is okay but Maeve has an ethereal quality. Don’t tell other people your thinking - it’s a decision for you and your husband.

Rose
Erin
Ruby
Nina
Sasha

I love Thea and Willow ( not with your surname though). Thea sounds like it's short for something like Dorothea

Thea is good, Maeve is OK. Not Willow.

All three are lovely names OP! You are always going to get different opinions on every name and whilst it's good to see what others think, really the only people's opinion that matters is yours and your partner's! Wait until your daughter is here and see what she looks like. If you still can't decide, trial them out, use one a day and see which one fits (that's what we had to do with our little boy! It took a week but we got there in the end!)

I really like Maeve but also like Maeva and think that will work beautifully with your surname. I like Willow but also love someone elses suggestion of Willa! Thea is lovely but you could also go Theadora and shorten in to Thea?

I also love the names Margot (although v. popular) and Martha.

Willow think had increased in popularity.

Thea for me is a Nn for Dorothea or Theodora.

Maeve - surprise myself and quite like it.

I like Alethea better, but Thea is nice.

Not a fan of Willow or Maeve. I prefer Maud to Maeve.

Thea all day, Thea Howell has a lovely flow. Maeve Howell comes out slightly like May Vowel but I have a regional accent, might sound totally different to others.

I think Thea is best with your surname.

They are all nice names but they just don't match. Maeve and Willow are gentle floaty names, Howell is not.

I sympathise as I wanted an Emily but it has a similar tongue twister effect with my surname as Willow does with yours.

What about a nice Welsh name with Howell? A Bethan or a Catrin

I know names come and go but I just cannot see an older woman with the name Willow - I think it’s just a little girls name. Thea & Maeve, which I like equally, would suit any age IMHO.

Thea.

I think Thea is the only one that works with your surname. Willow doesn’t work at all.

Maeve is my favourite from your list.

Everyone is using Maeve since Sex Education on Netflix.

Is it Thea with a “th” or is it sometimes Thea with a “t” and silent h? (Taya) I’m confused about how to pronounce it but I may have invented the alternative pronunciation!!

I like Thea. Maeve is an anglicised spelling, correct spelling is Maebh. I don't like it, it epitomises middle class Irish respectable names. How about Muireann if you want an Irish name beginning with an M?

How about Doris?

Thea is definitely the nicest of the three. I agree with your husband, Willow doesn’t go with your surname. It doesn’t ‘flow’ when you say it…..

I like names that can be shortened though so I’d go with Theadora and then shorten to Thea. She will then have a choice of which name to go by as she gets older.

Thea Howell, Maeve Howell both go really well. Think with Willow you would need a middle name to break it up

I agree with too many Ls and Ws.

Both Thea and Maeve are lovely

None of them are to my taste, sound too much like grandma names to me. Appreciate this is in fashion just now but not something I would pick

Out of the three I would go with Thea. It’s the only one that I see working as a child, a young adult and an older adult