Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Theodore nickname?

41 replies

Ladyw13 · 29/05/2025 23:50

Due with our second boy and we love the name Theodore, but Theo has gotten quite popular and not keen on Ted/Teddy. The nickname Orry came to me and I think I love it?! It means “God’s peace”. What do you think about Orry as a nn? Or do you think Ori is a better spelling? First son is Alexander also with an uncommon nickname he goes by.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Eledamorena · 30/05/2025 00:02

I would just say that if you want a nickname to stick, you need to use it from the start and introduce him that way. Otherwise, nicknames arise organically and there's not much you can do about it!

I had an uncommon nickname in mind when I named my first but didn't immediately use it. People used her real name, and over time a nickname arose within the family that has stuck in all circles now. She never uses her real name. Sometimes I'm a bit sad I didn't run with the nickname I had in mind from the beginning!

When I had my youngest, I introduced her by my chosen nickname from the beginning and that is what she is known as. She didn't even know her real name til she was about 3, I think 😂

Username2151 · 30/05/2025 00:21

How about Rory?
Some people use it as a nickname of Theodore
Or there's Dory as in Finding Nemo character.

CookingFatCat · 30/05/2025 00:55

Dory?

Els1e · 30/05/2025 00:57

Toby

Username2151 · 30/05/2025 01:41

CookingFatCat · 30/05/2025 00:55

Dory?

Granted it's not a name of a celebrity that I can think of from today but there have been quite a few named Dory that have become famous.
For the feminine version of the name Theodore, Theodora, Dora (the Explorer) springs to mind!

MelaniesLaugh · 30/05/2025 03:28

I had a cat Theodore and he was often Dore-Dore

For5moreminswere6 · 30/05/2025 04:02

We have a Theodore we called Dory but he absolutely hates it and loves being one of three Theo's in his class. He also gets called dorus (as in theodorus - greek version). And sometimes Tayo. Which he doesn't like either. Its a popular name but that's because it's nice. There's an obsession with not having a name everyone else has but honestly I have an unusual name and I don't like it - especially as a child.

user1492757084 · 30/05/2025 04:55

Todd

BoleynMemories13 · 30/05/2025 06:48

Ori seems more obvious in terms of pronunciation, but in all honesty it sounds contrived.

Yes Theo is popular, but so is Theodore. He'll still have a popular name, whether you shorten to Theo/Teddy or something else. If you want to be different, I'd pick a less popular name in the first place.

Something like Christopher nn Kit, or Nathaniel nn Nate could go in terms of long, traditional first name with a cool nickname.

Koazy · 30/05/2025 06:55

Orry isn’t nice. It sounds like sorry

Paperumbrella · 30/05/2025 07:02

I’ve never understood the contrived Mumsnet need to force nicknames from birth.

SpicedHerbalTea · 30/05/2025 07:07

Ted.

And he’s amazing.

Sometimes we call him Tedric 🤣

toastofthetown · 30/05/2025 07:11

I wouldn’t use a a name unless I was happy with the most intuitive diminutives for it. You might not be keen on Theo, but your Theodore might be and you have (and shouldn’t have) and control over what he chooses to do with it, because it isn’t your name.

SpicedHerbalTea · 30/05/2025 07:12

Or Teddediah :-)

SeaFloor · 30/05/2025 07:17

Paperumbrella · 30/05/2025 07:02

I’ve never understood the contrived Mumsnet need to force nicknames from birth.

Yes, it’s deeply odd. If you want your child to be called Orry, call him that. I don’t know why you would, but if you want to, do. If you don’t want your child to be called Theodore or Theo or Ted/Teddy, don’t call him Theodore.

HugoYorway · 30/05/2025 08:04

Theodore is more popular than Theo. If you don't want to call him Theo or Teddy, pick another name.
Babies called Theodore in England & Wales since 1996

ShesTheAlbatross · 30/05/2025 08:11

If you want to avoid Theo because it’s popular, then I think you should rethink Theodore. Especially as you don’t like the other common nicknames Ted/Teddy.

I really really don’t like Orry.

ShesTheAlbatross · 30/05/2025 08:12

If you don’t want your child to be called Theodore or Theo or Ted/Teddy, don’t call him Theodore.

Exactly.

FelloffaCliffedge · 30/05/2025 08:21

I would agree with others, don’t use a name if you don’t like the obvious nicknames.
We didn’t use a name we really liked as I knew what it would end up being shortened to as a teenager by her mates and I just didn’t like it

ZebraPrintt · 30/05/2025 08:27

I think Theodore would get shortened to Theo inevitably, especially as he got older

SeaFloor · 30/05/2025 08:28

Wasn’t Dorry the mournful, pudgy younger brother in the What Katy Did books? Was he actually Theodore?

LittleHangleton · 30/05/2025 08:28

Me Theodore/Theo gets called Thee (rhymes with pea) by family.

Tumblingthrough · 30/05/2025 08:29

I am of the opinion that nicknames are out of our control tbh

Firsttimebabymummy · 30/05/2025 08:29

I really like it. I like Thee mentioned above too! However, he may choose to go by Theo when he's older. I work in a nursery and we have lots of Theo's.

FortyElephants · 30/05/2025 08:45

Ori is awful. Dory is a girl's name. The nicknames for Theodore are Theo and Ted. If you don't like either of them don't call him Theodore!

Swipe left for the next trending thread