Spelling this name...

momoftess

I know from my previous post that not everyone loves Theodora, particulary the nn Teddie but that nickname my husband loves.  I want it to be pronounced Tee-ahdora...I researched and apparantly it can be spelled Teadora or Teodora and even Tiadora.  Which of the spellings do you prefer?  I really don't love inventive spelling but with a name like this that is pretty uncommon, she will likely have to spell it out anyhow.

Fianschneid

The one that looks most natural to me is Teodora.

plunderb

I don't think that there is any spelling that will guarantee the pronunciation you want. You will have to instruct people.

If you don't want Theodora, I'd go with Teodora first and Teadora second. Tiadora is too far afield for me ? it starts to become a different name. But I would pronounce Teodora as TAY-oh-DOR-uh on my first try.

kmichln

plunderb:

I don't think that there is any spelling that will guarantee the pronunciation you want. You will have to instruct people.

If you don't want Theodora, I'd go with Teodora first and Teadora second. Tiadora is too far afield for me ? it starts to become a different name. But I would pronounce Teodora as TAY-oh-DOR-uh on my first try.

This. I was going to say I would definitely pick Teodora. Teadora doesn't look quite right to me. Like mixing the word tea with Dora. Tiadora is too much of a stretch for the sound you want IMO.

MrsI

Teadora would make me pronounce it the way you'd like. Theodora makes me say more like Theodore with the Th being a completely different sound.

Helenahhandbasket

I didn't respond on your other thread, so forgive me if this is redundant, but why do you want to pronounce it Tee-adora?

I see that Teodora is a legit Italian variation on Theodora, but it is pron. tay-ow-DAO-rah.

I don't see any links that talk about the pronunciation you are liking.

FWIW, I love Theodora- pronounced just like that.

magpie1127

I could be wrong, but I don't think your pronunciation is a name. Theodora has a soft TH in English, and in Spanish it would be pronounced TAYohdora. Beautiful! I don't like TEE ohdora...that just sounds like you're pronouncing it wrong.

Kmommy91

I prefer Theodora much more actually.

capulet

magpie1127:

I could be wrong, but I don't think your pronunciation is a name. Theodora has a soft TH in English, and in Spanish it would be pronounced TAYohdora. Beautiful! I don't like TEE ohdora...that just sounds like you're pronouncing it wrong.

I agree...I think there are several legitimate pronunciations of Theodora/Teodora, but this would not be one of them.

I would only use Teodora if I had a compelling reason to use a name from a language in which it is spelled that way.  I would not use Teadora or Tiadora at all.  To me, the appeal of the name lies in its meaning (gift from God) and historical associations.  Altering the spelling would neutralize what I like about the name.

momoftess

I didn't even realize that this would be inventing a new name.  Perhaps then it would be Tayadora for the sound I want. How does one pronounce Thea?