Theodora or Dorothea? Neither?

[Annei]

Thoughts on Theodora or Dorothea?

Really keen on the idea of nn being Dora, and also like Thea.

Not a fan of Teddy or Dorothy depending on the name, although they are also nice!

Somewhat unsure however since both names feel long, older, and we would more often use a nn rather than the full name.

Neither are to my taste.

I'd avoid Thea only because it's so popular. Reception age DC has three Thea's in her year at school.

Dora is quite sweet although there's the obvious link to Dora the Explorer.

If it were me I'd keep looking. I think the fact that you're asking probably means neither is 'the one'. Go back to the baby name books!

I have a weak spot for Dorothea. Not sure why but it makes me smile feels like a happy name.

Theodora is beautiful. Theo as a nickname is good too.

Dota Dota Dota the explorer. Sorry OP it’s a very popular kids tv program.

Yes both are very pretty names! They also seem to be getting popular again but worried about it still feeling too “out there” potentially?

Have to admit I am rather a fan of longer older names though so maybe should just not think about what’s on trend or not right now!

Love Theodora.

Is Dora the explorer still popular? Although I didn’t realize it would be such a quick and direct connection to the nn?

Im not keen on Dorothea or Theodora. I quite like Dorothy but I see you are not keen. I agree keep going through the name books.

No They sound too try hard. Also they’re incredibly old lady-esque and a bit ‘ra ra’.

I think they are both good names, and not too 'out there' at all. I prefer Dorothea, and Dora makes a great short form.

Both are beautiful, and similar, meaning wise. I like Theodora a bit more, but in a world full of nicknames turned into names, I find both your choices of full real names refreshing.

Love Theodora! Dorothea feels a bit frilly to me. No idea why as they are basically the same sounds in a different order.

Isadora?

I love Dorothea!

I think both are lovely though Dorothea is also the name of a Taylor Swift song so that would obviously be my choice as a devoted Swiftie!

I agree with this op. Both good names. I prefer Theodora - and much prefer the full version to Thea as the BC name, though it's fine as a nn.

I love them both but my DH wasn't a fan so we didn't use them. I've never met a child called either of them (I have three young DC so relatively "current"). Slight preference for Dorothea. I really don't think the Dora the Explorer reference matters - yes, it's still on the TV but it's not a massive franchise these days.

Neither. Thea is meh what with all the Mias, Sophias and Theos.
Dora the Explorer.
Theodora makes me think of theobromine - poisonous for dogs.

Dorothy nn Dot is sweet.

Also, both can have "Dora" and "Thea" as nicknames.

Love Dorothea. I wanted it but DH vetoed. My inspiration was Dorothea Callum.

I prefer Dorothy to Dorothea, probably because I don't like Thea much and I love Dottie and Dolly (even though they're a bit twee!)

Theodora is nice, it's too frilly for me personally but it's a good name. It's interesting and unusual, and would be refreshing amongst all the cutesy names around these days.

Doris instead of Dora?

Anthea?

Neither. Though Thea is a lovely name but I’d leave it at that.

Neither

Both lovely. Hard to choose my fav. Prob Dorothea.

Can’t stand Dorothea it’s so frumpy although Dorothy is worse. I love Thea, rather than Theodora. I haven’t met any little Theas yet and I work with kids.