Can I use Teddy?

[NewMrsX]

Teddy is the only name we can agree on but we're not sure if we can use it with our surname.

Our surname is two syllables and begins and ends with a T so it sounds like T overload. It's not too bad with Teddy but it sounds worse with Ted which he may choose to go by when he's older.

We don't like any of the longer more formal names that could be used to give Teddy a nickname so that isn't an option unfortunately.

I'm interested to see if this would put most people off using the name? Thanks

[mrstweefromtweesville]

No, its underwear.
Also its a child's toy.
MrsTwee cannot support the use of Teddy as a name for a child. Sorry.

[ShatterResistant]

Teddy Thomsett? Yes, it would definitely put me off, sorry. (And extra sorry if that's actually your name. It was the only one I could think of beginning and ending in T.)

[NewMrsX]

Knew I could rely on mumsnet for some straight talking

Yes very similar to that Shatter. Why is naming this boy so hard?

[RiverTam]

I really like the name Teddy but I don't think it's going to work with your surname, sorry!

[ShatterResistant]

I found a boy very hard too. I considered Teddy, but I don't like just a "nickname", and neither of us really wanted Theodore or Edward. Here's my list, in case you're interested. Some of them are very pretentious, so don't judge me! I ended up making a note of anything I vaguely fancied in the end, so desperate was I. My boy's name isn't even on here either!

Albert
Dominic
Ivor
Marcus
Zachary
Samuel
Gabriel
Wesley
BARNABY
Caspar
Francis
THEODORE (Teddy)
Arthur
Edgar
Rufus
Bruno
Atticus
SEBASTIAN
Harvey
Inigo
Benedict
Casimir
Caspian

[ShatterResistant]

Oh no, I lied - my boy's name IS on there. Phew! Not a complete waste of a list after all...

[mandy214]

I think it's very popular at the moment - and that's coming from someone with a Jack!!

[NewMrsX]

Thanks for all the opinions so far.

The popularity thing used to be a consideration for me. Then I realised how tough we were going to find it so discarded that as naming criteria pretty quickly!

That's a very interesting list, both mine and dhs favourite names are on there. I love Zachary and dh loves Sebastian but neither of us like the other name enough to go for it. Teddy is the compromise.

[ShatterResistant]

Best of luck. Both my children are named things we hadn't previously seriously considered. We chose during post-birth euphoria, when DH would have let me do pretty much anything I liked. It's worked out well!

[DoloresLandingham]

Only if you can learn to love Edward or Theodore for his birth certificate. You cannot saddle an adult man with Teddy as a given name.

[Mclaren37]

I think Teddy is a great name and Ted is a good name for a grown man. Teddy Roosevelt? (Love the character Ted in How I Met Your Mother:)) But yes, it might sound a bit twee - and be very difficult to say - with a double-T surname! Great list from Shatterresistant there

[DoloresLandingham]

Teddy Roosevelt was a Theodore.

[StompyFreckles]

Where is this obsession with 'Teddy' coming from? I have close friends with children named this and I find it difficult to take seriously!

[TheWildRumpyPumpus]

I can't believe how popular it has become either recently, I've met 3 under 1s named it in the last few months and another 2 using it as a shortened form for Edward.

Not to mention all the celebrities using it (all fuelling the trend I guess).

[mandy214]

I may be showing my age but yes, as a shortened version for Edward - but then the child is called Teddy Edward! Which was a toy / TV character bear when I was little.

I do think it is cute - if it wasn't so popular now - but very difficult to carry off as an adult.

[squoosh]

Where is this obsession with 'Teddy' coming from?

I wonder this too. They're everywhere all of a sudden!

[TheNewStatesman]

It's a really, really silly name. Sorry.

It will date badly.

Who on earth wants to be 32 years old with a name like "Teddy"?

[Minimaus]

I also find it quite a comical name, it's a teddy (bear) in my mind. Far too cutesy and weak imo.

There must be other names you love?

[SmugairleRoin]

I'm with the cutesy, weak and comical crowd. It's a cute nickname for a child but ridiculous for the man he will be. Use something else on the birthcert and Teddy as a nickname.
If you don't like Edward, is Edgar possible?

[villainousbroodmare]

I do understand that when you are anticipating the arrival of a plump and toothless infant and welling up with oxytocin, you will instinctively tend towards cuddly wuddly names. That's grand. But can't you just use the cuddly wuddly name as a pet name and give the child a name that will sound appropriate in their adult life? You are not naming a baby, you're naming a person. Refer to him as Teddy but name him Zachary or Sebastian?

[DoloresLandingham]

Edgar? Edmund? Edwin?

[RedToothBrush]

The reason you both agree on it, is precisely because your surname is similar so are naturally drawn to it. Once you know that, it should be easier to move on from the name.

Theodore/Teddy/Ted were the names in the last ONS stats that had the biggest jump in the top 100 for boys. I don't think its peaked yet either. So there is another reason for you to let the name go, and consider something else.

Barnaby
Benjamin
Alexander
Felix
Leo
Kit
Gabriel
Samuel
Sonny
Nate

[fairyfeatures]

NewMrsX - Ignore all the posters who gave you opinions not at all related to what you asked! You're question was whether you could use it with strong alliteration when combined with your surname. I don't think that is a problem at all, in fact I very much like it.

And think it sounds much better than Teddy Smith.

[CalypsoLilt]

I've always loved Ted/Teddy as I had a Uncle Ted. I would definitely consider Edward on the birth certificate and then just abbreviate to Teddy :)

[MrsTedCrilly]

I like it! You don't need the longer name now, that's very old fashioned. There are so many shortened names now that it'll soon become normal.