Theola?

[MrsSneezy]

Our baby girl is due in 6 weeks and we've been stuck for names for ages. We came across Theola in our baby name book and both like it. Shortenings are Thea and Lola. I think it's unusual and pretty without being too 'out there', but would love opinions from others.

Our baby book says it's Greek and means gift from god. We have no Greek connection but if we stuck to English names that would be very limiting.

What do you think? Is it too out there? Does it sound made up even though it's not?

[Kt8791]

I like it! But then I like unusual names for girls. Also like the nn's.

[KittenOfDoom]

I think it does sound made up. Where is the 'gift' element? Theodora means 'gift from God', as does Dorothea. 'Theola' doesn't seem authentic like either of those.

[ladymia]

I do not like the sound of it. It either sounds made up or it sounds like you just like the boy's name Theo and decided to added -la to make it a girl name. Or worse, you put two names together to make one.

I really don't like it.

[Teapig]

Thanks, it's great to have all these opinions.

kitten, some websites I found said it means 'gift from god' and others say the meaning is 'divine', they must be rough translations from the original Greek.

I guess my main worry is that it's so unusual people might think we made it up but then I suppose we can set them straight.

I like that it's an unusual name that also gives us more usual nn options.

[Teapig]

Ooh just to say that the above post was from me, MrsSneezy/Teapig. I name changed for my local threads and forgot to change back earlier.

[OkayHazel]

It sounds like Thea and Lola have been mushed together. I'd pick one of these too. Or, go fot Thea Lola Surname or similar.

[MidnightMasquerader]

I don't think it looks that nice when written done, nor the sound of it. It looks like you were set on the name Theo, and then had a girl...

When there are so, so many lovely names out there to choose from, this seems like an odd one to make the short-list, let alone be the pick.

As for people thinking it's made up - most people won't actually tell you they think this; they'll just think it, so you'll rarely get the opportunity to put people right.

[Teapig]

Thanks for all the comments it's really good to get feedback before we go public with our name choice.

Our short list is actually
Theola
Ottilie
Fionnuala
Safia - it's Arabic and means pure though we have pretty much discounted this as it's likely to be mistaken for Sofia a lot

As you can tell we like unusual names. I think that despite the comments Theola is still top which I reassures me that I do really like the name even if people think we mashed together Theo and Lola or really wanted a Theo when actually it's just an old fashioned under used name that we really like.

[KittenOfDoom]

I'm afraid it makes me think of tombola.

[badtime]

I don't like it, reminds me of 'payola' (music chart fixing in the US).

I had a quick google, and it seems that it is derived from 'Theophilia' (you may be more familiar with the male name 'Theophilus'). Theo means god, philia means love, so the meaning would be to do with that, not gifts.

[KittenOfDoom]

Ah right, see what's happened there - because anything with 'philia' in would go down really well nowadays, yeah?

[Teapig]

When I googled it came up as a name in its own right, interesting though to see where it might be derived from.

kitten your were right that it dosen't 'gift' in the meaning, I'd misremembered that. Rechecked baby book and it means 'sent from god' apparently.

It seems to have been most popular in the 1920s and 30s but now seems completely unused.

It's great to have everyone's views. I guess a lot of friends and family will have similar opinions on it but we love it and hopefully it will be a grower on friends and family.

[KittenOfDoom]

I make it 1 for, 6 against so far.

[DoingItForMyself]

I prefer Thea tbh. Don't know why, I think maybe the 'ola' part reminds me of areola or Crayola!

Sorry, not especially helpful, but the 'ola' seems to be a bit of a thing for others too!

[Teapig]

Yes I think it's about 7/1 not in favour which I guess shows that many people won't like our name choice which isn't surprising as Theola is a very unpopular name in terms baby name stats.

But it's made me realise that I don't really mind that and as long as DH and I love the name it doesn't really matter. Weirdly it's made me feel more sure about choosing Theola. I just hope our little one will love her name and if not she can go by Thea or Lola which I think are also lovely.

[thegreylady]

I know a Theonie which is similar-not keen on the 'ola' ending though Lola is quite pretty.

[Teapig]

Thanks lockets, I misremembered the meaning earlier. I've read that it means 'divine' or 'sent from god', seems to vary a bit from website to website. I like the meaning 'divine'.

grey lady, interesting that there are other variations, I hadn't heard of Theonie.

Oddly I really like the 'ola' ending which I think is the bit most people don't like.

Thanks for all the comments!

[Bluestocking]

I don't like the "ola" ending. It makes the word sound like an early twentieth century brand name, like Victrola or Shinola. Thea is lovely, as is Theodora. I don't like Lola at all.

[Viviennemary]

I don't like it that much. It doesn't really have a nice sound to it. But it's not awful.

[Theas18]

Fiola? ? Now that's not the spelling our the pronunciation at all ugh!

Go for Thea, you know you want too

[Shybairns]

Our neighbours eldest is called Thea. I really like it.

[sittinginthesun]

I love Thea. Gorgeous name, and very strong sounding.