I love both names, I think they are both classic but not hugely popular, no pronuciation issues and whoever my future, and so far imaginary, little girl wants to be, there is a nn to suit.
Obviously they are much too close to be siblings.
OH likes both and as soon as I settle on one of them, he picks the other (just to be awkward I’m sure).
I believe I would pick [name_f]Theodora[/name_f]. I like the nn [name_f]Thea[/name_f]! I suppose you could use it with either name, but it seems [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] would lend itself to [name_f]Dora[/name_f] more (which I don’t like.)
I like [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] more. It is not so well known and I think it is adorable! Plus it doesn’t make me think of [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] from The [name_m]Wizard[/name_m] of [name_m]Oz[/name_m] who I never liked lol. [name_f]Thea[/name_f] is a very cute nn.
I would probably pick [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] and then either nickname her [name_u]Theo[/name_u] or [name_f]Thea[/name_f]. I think both could work. Not too found on [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] because people tend to use [name_f]Dot[/name_f] as a nickname which I dislike a lot.
I love both too! [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] seems a bit more wearable to me, so that would be my vote. But both are beautiful with tons of awesome nicknames.
I like both names too but I think [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] isn’t a clunky as [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]. I just find [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] has a smoother sound and better flow than [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] (perhaps it’s the “th” coming before the hard “d”).
Another vote for [name_f]Theodora[/name_f]. I think [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] would be confused with [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] a lot which would get annoying.
I would change my vote if one sounded better with your last name or made for better initials.
I prefer [name_f]Theodora[/name_f].
ps. I love [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f].
as nn you could use
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_u]Dory[/name_u]
[name_u]Teddy[/name_u]
[name_u]Terry[/name_u]
[name_f]Tera[/name_f]
[name_f]Tory[/name_f]
[name_u]Tora[/name_u]. prefer this to [name_f]Dora[/name_f].