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WDYTO Theo (f)?
I'm watching Ballet Shoes and I'm kind of liking Theo as a feminine name. WDYT? Do you think it should only be used with the full name Theodora or another name? Do you just prefer Thea? Thanks :)
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I think it's okay as a nickname for Theodora or Theodosia, but I definitely don't care for it on its own for girl. I love it for a boy, however.
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Theo: Nickname Material
I truly am unable to forgive Theo as a full female firstname... I am fond of it (exclusively) as a nickname for Timothea, Theodora, Theodosia, Theophania, and so on and so forth.
Confessedly, I find Thea, on the other hand, rather unattractive.- Francesca
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If it's a standalone, I prefer Thea. Actually, I probably wouldn't use Theo even as a nickname for Theodora or Theodosia; I'd still use Thea or, maybe, Teddy.Theo feels like Bill or Irv to me--really masculine without much crossover potential.
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I knew a female Theo.Her full name was Theodora but she only went by Theo. She had to have been born between 1910-1920. I always thought it was odd, even as a kid. I prefer Thea.
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Ooh! I know a Theodora who also only goes by Theo (though her dad still uses the full version!) and she must have been born in about 1990. She despises both Theodora and Dora, though she's pleasant and pretty enough to carry anything off - she's an airline cabin attendant.
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I like it, but I do think it should be used as a nickname for Theodora or Theodosia. If it is used on its own, make sure it's with a very feminine middle name.
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I only like it as a nickname (for Theodora, Theodosia, etc.) For a full name, I prefer Thea.
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Aw, Ballet Shoes. :)
I have actually met a female Theo. I'm fairly sure she was Theodora (she was extremely posh) but who knows? I think I'd stick with Thea.
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I like it as a nickname.I think it's fine as a NN for Theodora, but too masculine to stand on its own.Also, yes, I think Thea is prettier. So in conclusion, I wouldn't get the vapors if I came across a female Theo, but I would wonder why she isn't called Thea.

This message was edited 2/20/2012, 11:44 AM

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I love Theo for a boy but not a girl. Thea is lovely and would make a great nickname for Theodora or Dorothea - there's not point in using a boys name instead.
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It's cool. I would be super thrilled if it was a pet form of Theodrate, which is a rockin' girls name.
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Ooh that's a neat name. How do you pronounce Theodrate? I can only find it on Google as the name of a French or Italian princess or something. The name Theodoreda came up too.
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I like Theodora, but I prefer Teddy as a nickname. I also like Theia. Thea is ok, but I like Theia more.
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I have to admit I have a soft spot for masculine-sounding female nicknames ... but only nicknames. Once they become full names, they stop being charming and begin to annoy. So I would say Theo is an okay nickname for Theodora, but if you wanted a shorter full first name I would go with Thea.
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There is a point where this needs to stop, and clearly we have passed it.Seriously. I'm getting annoyed with my fellow humans here. Theo is a boy's name. A freaking boy's name. Why must we constantly screw with the genders of names? What is wrong with us? It isn't cute, it isn't cool, it isn't unique. It's just annoying and it causes confusion and embarrassment and we should stop. Now.
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Agreed butif it's short for Theodora it okay.

This message was edited 2/20/2012, 8:59 AM

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I was asking as the character Theo Dane was a woman and the popularity of Theo until the late 20s included almost as many females as males (although the stats could be wrong). It seemed kind of vintage boyish 20s to me. That said, I do think it should be short for Theodora or something similar, Theo alone would be too confusing.
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Well, yes...I have to say I agree, although I don't feel as strongly.
I'll just never be a hundred percent behind any of this gender-swapping naming. I mean, there are plenty of strong/masculine/unfeminine/unfrilly feminine names out there, some underused or exotic enough to suit any taste... so there really isn't any need. I must say I find anything north of Mackenzie and its ilk (which I still really hate) to be pretty ugly and butch on a girl (as well as, you know, like you said,, not cute). Howeverrrr... it's not like the kid would have to be named Theo, it could just be an oddball nickname. I still have the same sentiments, but it's like Maxine / Maxima "Max" or something. I can't say I like it, but it's not like it's the kid's only name, and there are worse aberrations out there. I wouldn't compare it to "Danni" or "Sam" but there you go.I can stomach it more on a character. On a little girl? ...No.
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Agree
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Agreed.It's okay as a nickname for Theodora or Theodosia, though. But I'd be horrified to see a little girl with Theo as her full name. Ugh.
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Hehe. I agree that it isn't cute, cool, or unique, or spunky or strong or whatever - but I think you have to admit that the annoyance and confusion is caused by the annoyed and confused, rather than by the naming practice.I think Theo sounds sort of effeminate on a boy anyway so, although in general I share your exasperation, in this case I'm sort of enthused. As long as it's short for Theodora or some other name that actually has Theo in it.
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It's actually not a boys name. Theo can be short for Theodora which is clearly feminine. Some people like boys names on girls. There's nothing wrong with it. Julian and Christian used to be girls names and are now considered masculine. It happens the other way around too.
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whoa...Just whoa...
No one's naming their boy Priscilla or something.I'm not on this board much (and when I am, no one replies...) but it's just a nickname. It can be fun to have Daniella be Danni. I think it is cute, and it can give a girl name some boyishness if you want it. That way a name can be good for a girly girl or a tomboy and then they.Plus, only those weird old people who can't tell the baby in all pink is a girl will get confused.And every name gets teased. Or misspelt (I had Rachel, Rachal, Rachele, Racheale, etc.). Or mispronounced (Raquel, Rashelle, etc.).
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I feel that there's a difference between a Danni and a Theo. Just saying.I know tons of girls who go by Danni / Dannie and not once has anyone had the 'whoa,wait a moment, that's a guy name reaction'. It's pretty common. Theo, on the other hand...
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Theo on a girl just feels wrong. Thea is so gorgeous and feminine, and Theo is unshakably masculine for me.
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I think Thea is pretty, but I really do like the nn Theo for a girl. I like masculine nns for frilly female names. Theo definitely needs to be a nn only though, just in case the girl would rather something else. Theodora or even Theodosia. :)
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Its one of our top names. We would ONLY use it as a nickname for Theodora. Thea is nice as well.
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I like it as a nn, though on a girl I think Thea would be less confusing.
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