I am due my second boy, third child this weekend, and could do with some opinions, if possible.
Our surname rhymes with teacher and DS is [name_m]Edward[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] and DD is [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Megan[/name_f], but called [name_f]Lottie[/name_f] every day. My question is about how to name our new baby boy. All four of us love the name [name_u]Theo[/name_u], and have already decided on [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] as a middle name, but should he be [name_u]Theo[/name_u] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], or [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]? Does the abbreviated form sound okay, or does the full version sound better? DH said last night that he will never call him [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], but my point was that I’d like him to have options as he grows up. But is [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] too stuffy or pretentious (or furry and chipmunky?!), or does it work? I cannot decide. We are currently thinking of announcing him as [name_u]Theo[/name_u] once he is born, and then deciding properly afterwards. Any advice or thoughts welcome!
I think although both work, [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] sounds better as a full name, even if you never call him that. [name_m]Just[/name_m] because you have edward and charlotte, which are long names that are often shortened (like you said you mostly call charlotte lottie but she’s still charlotte) so it makes sense to also have theodore, to match stylistically. Plus, then he always has an alternative when he’s older as well. Plus, it doesn’t matter what his full name is, if everyone always calls him [name_u]Theo[/name_u], so might as well have it. Good luck!
I think [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] sounds more complete than [name_u]Theo[/name_u] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]. Also, [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] makes a better sibset with [name_m]Edward[/name_m] and [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] as they both have long names with nickname possibilities. I suggest that you go with [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t worry, it doesn’t sound stuffy or pretentious at all - it is a classic that is elegant and beautiful just like your older children’s names.
I think you can definitely use [name_u]Theo[/name_u] as a stand alone name. Although I feel neutral about [name_u]Theo[/name_u], I think [name_u]Theo[/name_u] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] is a very handsome name. I also think [name_m]Edward[/name_m], [name_f]Lottie[/name_f], and [name_u]Theo[/name_u] make a wonderful sibling set. I do not consider [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] to be pretentious or chipmunk-y. I like [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] but adore [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]. We have [name_u]Teddy[/name_u], as a stand alone, on our short list. I would personally never use [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], so why put it on the birth certificate. I believe you should name your children the name you will use.
I think it works either way! I don’t mind [name_u]Theo[/name_u] by itself at all but [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] sounds better than just [name_u]Theo[/name_u] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]. I think it’s a great idea for him to have options as he ages. He might love [name_u]Theo[/name_u] and want to use it his whole life or he may feel that he’s outgrown it and want to be Ted or [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]. I also think it’s fine to never call him [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]; as you said [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is [name_f]Lottie[/name_f] every day, so [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] could be [name_u]Theo[/name_u] every day as well.
I would say [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] is the best route to take. It’s a gorgeous addition to [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Megan[/name_f] and [name_m]Edward[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u]. Congratulations by the way
I love the name [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and don’t think it’s stuffy at all. I think most people would assume [name_u]Theo[/name_u] is short for [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].
I guess I’m the only one, but I love [name_u]Theo[/name_u] on its own. Especially with a strong middle name like [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]. It’s not that [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] isn’t a good name, but you’ve already nailed the classics with [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] and [name_m]Edward[/name_m], why not smooth it out a little with something that’s reminiscent of a good old fashioned name, but more approachable and gutsy.
You don’t need to give your child a “fuller” name just because it’s out there. I’ve never met anyone that introduced themselves as [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], and the one I know that goes by [name_u]Teddy[/name_u] wishes his parents called him [name_u]Theo[/name_u] instead. Plus I get the vibe that you’re not as sold on it as you would like to be.
P.S. Good on you for calling your [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Lottie[/name_f]. So good.
The abbreviated form is fine, but I think that [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] sounds better than [name_u]Theo[/name_u] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]. And your daughter is called by a nickname every day, so you’re definitely not against nicknames. I’d go for [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and call him [name_u]Theo[/name_u].
I think [name_u]Theo[/name_u] is absolutely fine as a full name. I love [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], but I also love “just” [name_u]Theo[/name_u]. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] feels more classic and serious, while [name_u]Theo[/name_u] is also classic but it looks and feels more youthful. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], [name_m]Edward[/name_m] and [name_u]Theo[/name_u] work just fine together.
With [name_m]Edward[/name_m] and [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], I think [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is a better choice. But I dont mind [name_u]Theo[/name_u] on its own.
I love both [name_u]Theo[/name_u] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] (I also have a brother with the name). I don’t see any problems with using [name_u]Theo[/name_u] as a given name. However, both [name_m]Edward[/name_m] and [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] are classics and quite formal, so because of that I’d go with [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and use [name_u]Theo[/name_u] as a nickname. That way he has [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] to fall back on when he’s older if he wants to, just as [name_f]Lottie[/name_f] got [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f].
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]: Classic and Classy… or Pretentious and Old?
[name_u]Theo[/name_u]: Hip and Sleek… or Low-Brow?
I’d go with whichever positive associations + negative associations you like more. I would vote for [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], mostly because there are more name iterations to work with, and I also love [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]. Also, I agree with PPs that it goes much better with the sibset.
Thank you for so many replies - that was totally unexpected, but much appreciated! It has been very useful to hear the totally unbiased views of complete strangers. I think the conclusion has been made that we will go the whole hog with [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m].
Now a decision has been made, I’d just love to get on with meeting him! I’m due tomorrow, but feel like he’s been keeping me hanging for ages!
