Teofia? (Polish girl's name)

fauxbunny · April 2009

This was my grandpa's mom's name. She died when I was only a couple of months old, so I didn't know her. My grandparents are like the parents I SHOULD have had, so I'd love to take the chance to honour them with our second baby (Sammy's middle name is after his dad, so we've already recognized his side of the family since they chose my husband's middle name, hahaha)

If it's a boy, we're going with Andrew for both of my grandparents' dads (though my grandpa's was a Polish name as well, he went by Andrew in Canada to fit in!)

Not sure if these would be middle or first names yet, it's still all up in the air until September.

hollybabe · April 2009

How do you pronounce that? Tee-OH-fee-ya? TOH-feeya? Tasha?

It's a little unusual, but I'll wait to make any judgement based upon the pronunciation.

thatgirlang · April 2009

I don't like it but if it means a lot to you, then use it. I think you'll always be introducing her and saying "It's a Polish name," just like you did in your post title as sort of an explanation because you know that most Americans that you tell are gonna be like- Hmm and Confused .

GL!

teacherjess · April 2009

Whew. With a name like that, you're going to spend your whole life explaining it. Plus it's just a bit strange (sorry to your grandma). I'd save it for a middle name. Sort of reminds me of...Tofu or something, too? Not even sure on the pronunciation.

Even like a simple first name with it would be nice to honor her...like Elizabeth Teofia or Kathryn Teofia or something...

smismar · April 2009

I would guess the pronunciation as Tay-oh-fee-ah. I don't think it's that weird (but then I grew up in an area with a lot of Polish names). I actually think it's kinda pretty and I love that it means so much to you. If you think about it, it's not that far off from the ever-popular Sofia/Sophia. I think people on these boards confuse "ethnic" names with being "made-up" too much. It's a global society - not everyone has to have an Anglicized name.

iluvtom · April 2009

I think it is sentimental but I do not like it- sorry

jexxie · April 2009

My great grandmother's name is Teofila so I like it. Stick out tongue

LoriFalce · April 2009

I think it's pretty, but yes, unusual. However, it's also ripe for nn. Tia, for example, or Fia, or Tea, like Tea Leoni. Any of those would get around a frequent explanation. But I wouldn't have a problem saying "Yes, she's named after my grandmother who I loved more than anything." Who would possibly say anything about her name after hearing that?

Smores730 · April 2009

If you want to honor your grandparents why not pick one of your grandparents' names?.. instead of your great grandparent's name?

I'd only use the name as a middle name to avoid the constant explaining or I'd pick something similar to it like Sofia or Tia.

ara4488 · April 2009

smismar:
I would guess the pronunciation as Tay-oh-fee-ah. I don't think it's that weird (but then I grew up in an area with a lot of Polish names). I actually think it's kinda pretty and I love that it means so much to you. If you think about it, it's not that far off from the ever-popular Sofia/Sophia. I think people on these boards confuse "ethnic" names with being "made-up" too much. It's a global society - not everyone has to have an Anglicized name.

This, exactly.

hollybabe · April 2009

smismar:
I would guess the pronunciation as Tay-oh-fee-ah.

If that's the case, then it sounds a lot prettier than what I was coming up with.

thatgirlang · April 2009

smismar:
I think people on these boards confuse "ethnic" names with being "made-up" too much. It's a global society - not everyone has to have an Anglicized name.

Did I miss someone saying it was made up? She clearly said it was Polish.... Guess I'll go back and read carefully.

amyfelice · April 2009

I actually love it. I love names from different cultures. I think in the long run it's nice to be unique and hold onto your heritage. I am also confused as to why you would not use your Grandmother's actual name rather than her mom's. but I see nothing wrong with the name. It's beautiful.

kegallagh · April 2009

I think it's very pretty! I agree with pp about all the nn possibilities such as Fia, Tea, etc. Very cute. For being an Eastern European name I think it's really feminine, which is nice.

Kflie83 · April 2009

I don't really like it, maybe use it as the middle name?

teacherjess · April 2009

But I do like the pp's suggestion of Tea as a nn, or Tia. Those are very cute.

fauxbunny · April 2009

Tee-ah-fee-ah is the way to say it. Sorry for taking forever to respond.

We don't want to name our kiddos after anyone living, unless it's middle names. So naming after my direct grandparents (who I know are alive, they were just over yesterday!) would be really weird and creepy to me.

I think I'm going to be keeping it on a backburner in my mind. I've always liked the name with a nickname of Fi (Fee).

amyfelice · April 2009

Ah yes we don't name after the living either. I love it. Personally.

Tomasina · April 2009

I love it! And I think it's cool that even for a Polish name it is a little unusual. You probably know the Polish tradition of names and name days, but you should look it up and see what the name day for it is. Another way to incorporate the culture and who your daughter was named after into her life.

Also, great for nicknames!

LMS05 · April 2009

smismar:
??I think people on these boards confuse "ethnic" names with being "made-up" too much.? It's a global society - not everyone has to have an Anglicized name.

Right, but we live in America where most people have Anglicized names. If you live in another country, I understand using a more ethnic name. It's probably annoying to have 99% of people mispronounce and misspell your name everyday.?

floridagirl05 · April 2009

I like it...she could always go by Fia... my name is Fia (not short for anything) so I might be a bit biased though!

Want a personalized experience?

Teofia? (Polish girl's name)

Re: Teofia? (Polish girl's name)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards