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.

Willow is lovely!

Maeve is beautiful and goes with your surname

can I suggest to stop getting opinions from friends and family? You will never get a consensus and it’s hard to then pick a name your best friend or mum or or whoever has said they don’t like. Just decide with your DP and surprise everyone.

I’m my regional Uk accent, Willow with your surname is almost impossible to pronounce! 🤣

I much prefer Maeva to Maeve.

Out of your list Thea is the best imo.

I have a 4 year old Maeve so I'm a bit biased. It's a beautiful name imo. And goes nicely with your surname.

I know it's apparently going up the top 100 but I've still never met anyone else called Maeve, adult or child.

Thea Howell said fast sounds like the owl.
Willow is a dogs name to me, I know 3 Willowell.
Don't like Maeve at all. Also Maevowel.
Theresa?

Go for what you like, as someone will always have an opinion as you can see from that thread.

Willow is a pretty common name these days.
my son goes to school with some and he’s 6.

Also goes to school with a few Thea’s and a heap of Theo’s. My son cannot pronounce TH so they’re “fea” which if it were my daughters name would irritate me said like that.

Maeve is a lovely name - but also becoming very popular because of the main character in Sex Education (the show).

The thing with everyone picking unusual names is we pick names that weren’t common on our time, but everyone does the same thing. The names you suggests will be super common when your daughter has her own kids and Sophie and Sarah etc will once again become popular as a traditional name not used.

so…an unusual name for children these days are the common names of our generation. She would be the only Sarah in her class if you called her that.

I had a bit but if a girl I would have gone with Naomi.

Willow doesn't work with Howell; your partner is right.

Thea Howell sounds really nice. I prefer it to Maeve Howell.

Maeve is the best. However I’m biased as my daughter is called Maeve. I’m also not just saying this, but she constantly gets compliments on her name, and rightly so because it’s lovely lol. She does occasionally get called Meeve or it’s spells Mauve, but not a lot. She’s only ever met one other Maeve (actually spelled Meadhbh) and she was so excited, was really cute!
Thea and Willow are nice too. Gonna throw Freya in there too, Freya Howell sounds nice.

Willow doesn't go with Howell.
Willow is a pet name in our region.

Willow doesn't work with Howell - your DH is right.

Thea is nice, but I like Maeve more, and I think it goes better with Howell.

All three are very popular.

I thought Thea was pronounced Tay-ya which isn't so bad but as written then no, Maeve isn't bad & Willow is too popular. How about Niamh (pronounced Neve) or Heather? Not really got an alternative to willow xx

Of the three, I prefer Maeve, but it really doesn’t go with your surname. Thea -will you be pronouncing it Thea or Tia, with a silent TH? I used to know a couple when I’m as younger. Willow, no, I know 2 cats and a retriever called that.
sorry.

Why are people saying Maeve goes with your surname? It really doesn’t - it will sound like her name is May Vowel unless you make a big effort to separate them which is clunky and annoying.

Either of the others are nice. I prefer Thea.

Dislike Maeve. Love both Thea and Willow.

Willow doesn't work, Thea Howell sounds too much like tea towel, so out of those 3 I vote for Maeve.

My daughter is called Theia (my husband liked the ‘I’ and the Greek spelling).

I chose it last minute. I live in NI and it’s not hugely common. I have to say my daughter is 3 and I love it. She is Theia Elizabeth - we sometimes call her TT as cute nickname. 99 per cent of people pronounce it correctly so no issues there. I think it is a name that grows with them - good for a child and also a successful adult.

I really don’t like Willow but Maeve is nice.

Should have added a lot of people complement the name!

Compliment

I think all 3 names are lovely.

Willow - I know an adult willow, everyone always complimented her name. I think with your surname though could be a tongue twister. It’s also become very popular.

Thea - Also grew up with a Thea. Lovely name and only ever met the one. Think it goes best with your surname.

Maeve - I’ve met 3 little girls with this name so must also be getting popular. Lovely name again.

My parents dog is called Willow, definitely more of a pets name imho.

Thea I'm not blown away by but it's ok

Love Maeve, was on my girls list but hubby wasn't keen and we went with my favourite which was Edith. I love old fashioned classic names which I'd say Maeve is. I know a 2 year old Maeve and it works well for her but equally could picture a grown up Maeve too. It's definitely risen in popularity since Sex Education on netflix though so bear that in mind if you want something unique.

Someone once said to me you should imagine the name being said on their wedding day, at a job interview and if they were prime minister! What perhaps seems cute now for a baby might feel just weird as an adult

Good luck with the decision! x

This!
Why do people do it to themselves! It's hard enough getting two people to agree in a name without bringing the extended family to the table!! Slightly off topic but it saddens me there is just no suprise to having babies anymore, all the gender reveals, name announced to the world before you're barely half way through the second trimester. What's wrong with waiting until it arrives and sharing that special moment with your partner first before the whole world.

At the end of the day it's for you and your other half to decide. We purposely kept our names a secret until the children were born. Unless your family are arseholes no one is going to turn around when you announce this is baby xxxx and say I hate it/it's terrible etc. That'd just be really harsh. And if you an other half love it then it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks

My daughter's name is Thea

Hadn't finished message.:

My daughter's name is Thea. I also considered Willow but may not work with surname. Congrats and each name would be nice!