Hello!
Expecting our second baby girl in a month. Our first daughter is Cora. My husband and I are in love with the name Thea but would pronounce it Tay-ah (with a hard T like Thomas or Theresa). I know most folks in the US would probably say Thee-ah. I really don’t like the spelling Téa (because accents are a pain with US keyboards and I don’t want her to be called Tea like the drink) and I also really don’t like Taya or any other unusual spelling of the name. Haha am I difficult much? I have tried to find another name I like as much but just can’t. Thoughts on whether this would be a huge issue?
Thanks all!
I do think people will automatically say THEE-uh. However, if you love it, use it! People will catch on after correction. [name_f]Cora[/name_f] and [name_f]Thea[/name_f] are great together!
Agree with all of this!
I don’t think it’s a huge issue as it’s an easy enough correction to make when someone mispronounces it, as said above.
Have you considered the spelling [name_f]Theia[/name_f]?
[name_f]Theia[/name_f] may be initially pronounced as thay-ah but it’s a closer pronunciation to what you’re looking for, so it may be an even easier correction
I think the spelling will be confusing, but if you aren’t worried about having to correct spelling and pronunciation often then it’s fine. Maybe try Taia? I’m not sure how I would spell the name other than the options you said. The names are cute are together!!
I agree with @Kipperbo1 and I hope you use the name you love. [name_f]Thea[/name_f] is such a nice name, with either pronunciation, and well worth the effort to state the pronunciation you prefer. Once people know, that is how they will say it.
Thank you all for the input! I appreciate the votes of confidence :). I also appreciate the alternative spellings as those were not ones I had considered. Really appreciate it!
Hopefully not setting her up for a lifetime of annoyance
I know one tey-uh and she spells it Téa. That’s the pronunciation I’d go with that spelling. Or perhaps Teya! That would work awesome!
Thea would never be pronounced correctly by folks on the first try, but hey, so long as you’re willing to correct them and have your daughter do the same, that’s all right!
Honestly,I think people would pronounce it thee-uh at first, but it is something that could be corrected.
Thank you all! I did know one [name_f]Thea[/name_f] growing up who pronounced it Tay-ah and I thought that’s how it was always pronounced. Then I went online and realized most folks would pronounce it Thee-ah. I just really love the look of [name_f]Thea[/name_f] (spelling wise) with the hard T pronunciation.
I grew up with a name everyone pronounced wrong-my name is spelled [name_f]Anna[/name_f] but pronounced Ah-nah (should be spelled Ana). It never really bothered me all that much but I would hate to set my kid up for a lifetime of annoyance.
I appreciate all the responses!
Most people will automatically pronounce thee-a. That would put me off, personally. Most people only need corrected once, but I think the situation would come up more often than I’d be comfortable with. I know how difficult it is when you have one name you have you heart set on and nothing else comes close, but I would have to go back to the drawing board I think.
In Belgium we also pronounce it like tay-ah. I say just use the name if you absolutely love it, pronunciation shouldn’t stand in your way when it comes to names you are so sure about! It’s a beautiful name and makes a lovely sibset with [name_f]Cora[/name_f]!
To be totally transparent, I have a name with multiple (all very legitimate pronunciations) and I have one of the less common pronunciation and it is really unpleasant to have my name repeatedly mispronounced and misspelled. I think the same thing would happen with [name_f]Thea[/name_f]. Personally I think spelling it Teya. Sorry for such an negative response, and good luck!
I immediately read it the way you want to pronounce it. I think it’s a really pretty name. Honestly, almost every name will get mispronounced at one time or another! P
Thank you all! This has been such a helpful thread and I appreciate all the comments-positive and pop negative. I appreciate hearing from those who were annoyed by having their name mispronounced-better to know now than when she is 16
Really appreciate all the insight!