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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Will Theo date?

17 replies

ninnienop · 09/03/2010 11:58

I'm thinking of choosing Theo for my new baby but am worried that it's a bit of a fad name? What with Theo Walcott and the World Cup I'm worried that's it's going to be a 2010 trend name.

I know that it's an old name but I don't think that's got much to do with how it will date. Think Jason, Mark, Stephen, Kevin etc.. all old names but all dated very badly!

Thoughts please!

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DulcieVox · 09/03/2010 12:01

I think it will. Go for Leo instead. That's less of the moment. I think Hugo and Leo will sound more classic in twenty years than say Milo, Jago, Bruno, Cosmo (I like all of those names).

I had Frederick on my list for my son and then Freddie Flintoff won the sports personality of the year, so it was scratched, but there aren't loads of Fredericks about. Some, but not that many. So don't worry too much.

lilmissmummy · 09/03/2010 12:07

I like Theo and I think that all names date eventually. I dont know anyone called Theo and think it is a great name. Also like Hugo and Leo! Would it be short for Theodore?

hellokitty123 · 09/03/2010 12:07

I think Theo will definately date, mainly because it has become SO popular in a short period of time. Such names will be very popular for a few year after which we all get bored with them and they don't get used anymore and so get 'associated' with an era, just like Sharon, Stephen etc did in the 1970s.

Of course there is no guarantee that currently classic timeless names (e.g. William, Quentin, Cosmo etc) will not become super trendy at some point in the future and face the same problem.

WinkyWinkola · 09/03/2010 12:08

Theo might date. Theodore definitely won't. It's a classic name.

sassysass · 09/03/2010 12:18

Yes, it definitely will somewhat IMO.

It's actually more popular than people think. If you add the Theodores and Theos together it's actually number 44 in the National Statistics. Above Cameron and Nathan. So it's is very popular and it will keep on rising, especially, as you say, due to the World Cup!

FanjolinaJolie · 09/03/2010 13:27

I do love that name. It is v popular just now, though. In DD's reception class this year of only 15 children, 2 out of 8 of the boys are Theo, one however is known by Teddy.

I also love Ted, Ed, Eddie etc

I'd recommend Theodore and then Theo or Ted for NN.

BettyButterknife · 10/03/2010 15:13

I think Theo is the new Jack

mopsyflopsy · 10/03/2010 16:06

Very, very popular round here (Surrey) - I'd avoid it on that basis.

persephoneplum · 12/03/2010 11:01

This is hilarious. I don't know a single other Theo around here other than my son, who is a Theodore. Please try to put a name outside of your own context. What's uber-popular in London is not necessarily so in Sydney.

There are three Williams in my older son's Kindy class, so different names become ridiculously popular in different locales. Sam is also nauseatingly prevalent for both sexes.

Theo is hardly Braiden or Maddysyn! It's popular because it's awesome! I see it as an old/new classic.

You can always go for Teo (Tay-o), which I love too. I tried to make Teo stick when Theo was a baby but it was a tad too hard to say compared with Theo.

I adore this name, but only as a nickname for Theodore. I wouldn't (didn't) use it as a full name.

Bucharest · 12/03/2010 11:07

I think it already has tbh.
There was this mad splurge of Theos last time there was a football thingy going on

Faddy. That's what Theo is. (he's got a sister called Amelie)

bananamumma · 12/03/2010 11:07

I think it's one of those names that started off quite unique and cool but is now overused and a bit common sounding.

I think it will date (especially as it creeps up to the top 20) but it won't date terribly, like Kevin (that's reserved for the Jaydens and Kaydens).

MaryAnnSingleton · 12/03/2010 11:09

My Theo is nearly 13 and it wasn't at all common then - and now he is the only Theo in his school- I love it

poutine · 12/03/2010 11:11

I don't think of it as faddish/up to date at all. First heard it as the name of one of the sons on the Cosby Show (c. mid 1980s)

StepSideways · 12/03/2010 11:15

I'd avoid like the plauge any name wich is in fashion, we'd already decided to call DS Lloyd, then the X-factor came on and I was praying that Lloyd boy didnt win as I didnt have any plan B for the name.

Leo would be a good bet I think, especially if short for Leopold

MaryAnnSingleton · 12/03/2010 11:17

poutine - that's where I heard it to - I thought it was cool,a little bit edgy,but not rough or vulgar

MrsJamin · 12/03/2010 11:20

v popular in berkshire, I wouldn't use it as its too popular

persephoneplum · 12/03/2010 11:37

Leo is massively popular around here - #91 in my state for popularity. That's my point... it's contextual.

Theo/Theodore doesn't even make the top 1200 in Australia.

OP - do your research! If there are thousands of little Theos in your area and popularity is a concern for you, then don't use it.

Theo has already dated around here - it belongs to 60 year old Greek men. Hehehe. We keep getting asked if we're Greek. Um no (I have platinum blonde hair, fair skin and green eyes).

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