Theodore Laurence

Name Advice
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I just found out I am expecting my second little boy. About a month before I found out I was pregnant, I lost my mother unexpectedly. Her name was Laurie and I was hoping to find a way to honor her in baby’s name. My other son is Sullivan “Sully”, and I have a daughter named Clementine. My husband and I immediately loved the name Theodore nn “Teddy” since we think it sounds cute with Sully. For the middle name. we thought about Laurence, since that shortens to Laurie, but I learned that Theodore Laurence is the character in Little Women. My mom actually loved that book, and the character, who also went by “Laurie”.

My question is: do I need to rethink the middle name to not have literary ties? It’s not a bad character, but I certainly don’t want people to balk or make fun of the name. Would love thoughts and opinions on this!

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I LOVE this, and it’s such a meaningful name for you that I think it would be a lovely honor for your mother. I don’t think people would make fun of the name since mostly people don’t find out people’s middle names.

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I would think the connection to Theodore Laurence from Little Women would not be anything that gets balked at. I would find it odd to see him being teased for that (if someone who read Little Women recognized the connection I’d think they’d think it was neat/cute/handsome, not something to jeer at.) I could be wrong but either way, a middle is rarely mentioned among school-age children (except by voluntary choice, in my experience) so I don’t think it’s a problem personally.

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If I heard it, I would immediately think of the character and maybe wonder if you named him after them, but I wouldn’t bring it up unless you spoke about [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women if that makes sense?

Plus, however, [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] is the middle not the surname, since he’ll be [name_m]Teddy[/name_m] not [name_m]Laurie[/name_m], since [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] ‘Teddy’ is popular enough that it wouldn’t feel tied to that character exclusively, and since [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] is an honour for you, I say still use it :person_shrugging: Plus, your mom loved the book and the character - that’s kind of sweet to share and it doesn’t feel like something to be made fun of? :slight_smile:

If it is making you uncomfortable however, you could do a slight twist? [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Laurent[/name_m]? [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Lockie[/name_m]? [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Lars[/name_m]? [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Lauritz[/name_m]? [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Lance[/name_m]? [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Louie[/name_m]?

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I guess I just didn’t want people to think it was cheesy. This makes me feel better!

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Thank you! :blue_heart:

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I love it, no one would make fun of it so don’t worry about that! I am sorry for your loss, but glad you have a little blessing on the way to honor her :heart:

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I think it is a lovely name. I thought about the connection, but I don’t think most people would!

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I think it is a lovely name!
I think you could also even just make it [name_m]Laurie[/name_m] !

Congratulations!

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No I dont think it would be thought of as cheesy at all! And I love its meaning to you. And while if I heard it I would think of the character I wouldn’t immediately assume he was named after that character since both [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] are very classic names.

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I think it’s really sweet! Especially if your mom loved that book and character! And [name_m]Sully[/name_m] and [name_m]Teddy[/name_m] and [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] together are adorable

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Huge congratulations :tada:

Firstly I’m sorry for your loss :two_hearts:

Moving onto your names I absolutely love Sulli@n & Clementin3 such gorgeous names. Moving onto [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] this is such a handsome name packed with so much meaning! I actually love the literary connection and how it goes back to your mother it’s truly lovely. I honestly do not think this tie will raise any eyebrows it’s very subtle furthermore people rarely use their middle names so it won’t be a huge concern. I think go for it the name is gorgeous :teddy_bear:

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[name_f]Darling[/name_f] name! So handsome and it had such a sweet honor connection. I’d count the literary tie as a bonus!

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[name_f]My[/name_f] first thought was definitely [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women but I just think that makes the name better. Besides, as you said he is more commonly known as [name_m]Laurie[/name_m] which would make the connection the the book a bit less obvious. Overall I think it’s a handsome name and a sweet tribute to your mother, especially considering she loved the book and the specific context in which the book used it would provide an even more direct connection!

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Aww I’m not a rabid [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women fan but I do enjoy the story and I like the tie to [name_m]Laurie[/name_m]! I would see it as a beautiful positive but if you’re concerned, could you maybe use a variant of [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] or find another way to get to [name_m]Teddy[/name_m]? Like:

[name_m]Theophilus[/name_m] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m]
[name_m]Edward[/name_m] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m]
[name_m]Theoden[/name_m] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Lorenz[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Laurent[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Lorenzo[/name_m]

[name_m]Or[/name_m] you could add another middle? Like [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_f]Eden[/name_f] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] or [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] [name_m]George[/name_m], or something along those lines?

Good luck!

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keep in mind that i’m a veeeery big fan of little women, but i adore this!!!

theodore and sullivan, first off, are absolute divinity together, as are the nicknames! and adding in clementine it’s absolute perfection! :white_heart:

laurence as the middle is completely lovely in all aspects: the flow, the look, and the double honor for your mother since she was a fan of the book and using her name <3

i’d say go for it! no one will know laurence as the middle on a daily basis, and i think older literature is sadly getting very lost amongst the everyday person, and so even if he were to introduce himself as theodore laurence i’m sure the main reaction would be “okay!” and not bat an eye :tada:

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I’m actually watching [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women with my daughter right now :heart: Personally, I think it’s a sweet & meaningful name for you all. I wouldn’t worry about it :smiling_face:

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I think overall it is a very cute name. Also, I think the literary reference is very suttle meaning that people won’t immediately associate it with the book, and if they do it is an amazing character. [name_f]An[/name_f] idea may be to spell [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] as “Lawrence” to make it slightly different. Overall, I don’t think it will be a problem

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I’m so sorry for your loss.
I hope that your are experiencing a peaceful pregnancy and that you have found all the support that you need to grieve.

About the name…

[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] is a very handsome, charismatic and elegant name. It’s a magnificent classic, timeless choice. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] have great meanings.

[name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] and [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] sound amazing together. They will create a lovely sibset!

As a cinephile and a big literature enthusiast, I can only interpret the association with the male character in [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women as a very positive aspect. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] is a charming, kind, fun, loyal and passionate character. I can’t find any reason for people to criticize this name. Besides that, [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] was the character’s surname and you will keep it in a different spot as a middle name. Above all, I believe that your mother’s love for the literature piece and the character cannot be forgotten. It’s a bonus point, in my perspective.

I love the meaningful story behind the middle name choice for your baby. [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] will be the sweetest honor name, in my opinion. It is very thoughtful. I adore that your mother’s name was [name_m]Laurie[/name_m] and you can keep [name_m]Laurie[/name_m] as a nickname, if you wish, for [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Laurence[/name_m].

As an alternative, you can slightly change the spelling for [name_m]Lawrence[/name_m] to dissociate your baby’s name from the famous character. I don’t believe that’s necessary, but it is an option. In fact, your son will probably not be called by is middle name on his daily life. Most people will not know his full name, so I think that the connection with [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f] Alcott’s book will be easily avoided. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if someone mentions it, you can simply explain the true reason that inspired you to select the middle name [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] for your son.

I hope that you settle on the name that you truly admire for your baby boy. Please, follow your heart. :heart:

Good luck with everything :four_leaf_clover: