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AIBU?

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Original poster

Theodore and Edward - names??

35 replies

wishuponaheart27 · 01/03/2025 11:52

AIBU?

SIL and BIL had a DS 9 months ago, called him Theodore. I am about to give birth to a DS and me and DH have always loved the name Edward for a boy.

We are being accused of copying her as both can be shortened to Ted or Teddy.

I think they're vastly different names - opinions?

*just to add neither will or are called Ted or Teddy 😂

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Floatlikeafeather2 · 01/03/2025 15:10

JoanThursday · 01/03/2025 13:26

My grandfather was called Edward, and he was known as Ted! Perhaps it's a generational thing, as he was born in the 1920s.

I too have an Edward, and he's Ed to his friends. Has never been Eddie or Teddie!

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I stand corrected. 😊 My parents were of your grandfather's generation and all their Edward uncles, cousins and friends were Eds and Eddies so I'm not sure it is strictly generational. They knew one Ted but he was Theodore. Perhaps it's a regional thing. But then there's Ted Heath, Ted Hughes etc to further disprove my claim!

Normallynumb · 01/03/2025 15:02

Stick to your choice
You've always liked the name and Nick names evolve so you might find your Edward goes by Ned, Eddie, Eds or any variant
My friend has a two year old Edward and is usually Edward, sometimes " Bear"

Snugglemonkey · 01/03/2025 14:51

The are not the same. Even if they were both Ted or Teddy, I wouldn't see an issue.

RachelLikesTea · 01/03/2025 14:43

Usually Edward is shortened to Ed. Tell them to jog on.

potatopaws · 01/03/2025 14:43

Also, I now have ‘Eddie’s Teddy’ from Rocky Horror going round in my head!

IVFmumoftwo · 01/03/2025 14:41

Ted is a form of Edward but I don't see why you can't use it? I would be using Edward if I have another boy.

potatopaws · 01/03/2025 14:41

You both might have three or four fun years of referring them to them as ‘your little Teddy bears’ but they will soon put a stop to that and you will never be allowed to call either of them Ted ever again.

In all seriousness, Edward is nothing like Theodore and the in-laws are being daft.

Rainbow1235 · 01/03/2025 14:09

wishuponaheart27 · 01/03/2025 11:52

AIBU?

SIL and BIL had a DS 9 months ago, called him Theodore. I am about to give birth to a DS and me and DH have always loved the name Edward for a boy.

We are being accused of copying her as both can be shortened to Ted or Teddy.

I think they're vastly different names - opinions?

*just to add neither will or are called Ted or Teddy 😂

Love the name Edward wish I had used it. I would’ve shortened it to Eddie

PrincessSakura · 01/03/2025 14:06

I don’t see the issue, surely if they were to be given nicknames it would be Theo and Ed/Eddie.
My children are friends with children with both names and none of them have ever been referred to as Ted or Teddy, I don’t think many people choose to use those nicknames anymore.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 01/03/2025 13:52

Ontopofthesunset · 01/03/2025 13:05

It's only an issue if they are both going to be called Ted.

Nah, you'd just have Big Ted and Little Ted, just as people did when naming sons after their older male relatives (using middle names or initials also works).

Tiswa · 01/03/2025 13:45

DS has twin friends called Theodore (Theo) and Edward (Eddie) so very different names

waitingquietly · 01/03/2025 13:44

Kids I know are Theo and Eddie - not teddy . Just say you won’t use Teddy

Abitofalark · 01/03/2025 13:35

Edward is fine. The usual shortened form is Ed, as for example, Ed Davey, leader of the LibDems. .

JoanThursday · 01/03/2025 13:26

Floatlikeafeather2 · 01/03/2025 13:17

Of all the Edwards I've ever known in my long life, I have never once come across one who was called Ted. Short forms are Ed, Eddie and Ned. Teddy is just for Theodore, Theodophilus and all other Theo names.

My grandfather was called Edward, and he was known as Ted! Perhaps it's a generational thing, as he was born in the 1920s.

I too have an Edward, and he's Ed to his friends. Has never been Eddie or Teddie!

BusMumsHoliday · 01/03/2025 13:24

Floatlikeafeather2 · 01/03/2025 13:17

Of all the Edwards I've ever known in my long life, I have never once come across one who was called Ted. Short forms are Ed, Eddie and Ned. Teddy is just for Theodore, Theodophilus and all other Theo names.

I know a few older gentlemen who are Ted short for Edward. I think it's had a bit of a come back among small kids with the fashion for old-fashioned names.

DazedDragon · 01/03/2025 13:23

Most Theodores I know are abbreviated to Theo. I wouldn't have even though to use Teddy.

Your SIL is being name precious!

BusMumsHoliday · 01/03/2025 13:21

They are cousins. They aren't going to be in the same room together every day, same class at school etc. It's not going to come up that often that they both have names that can share a short form.

I wouldn't call siblings Theodore and Edward, but cousins is such a non issue. This sort of thing just happens in larger families (my DD's second name is DH's cousin's DH's first name, for example).

FeministUnderTheCatriarchy · 01/03/2025 13:17

Theodore = Theo

Edward = Eddie

At least it does for every single adult and child I know with those names...

So no. YANBU

Floatlikeafeather2 · 01/03/2025 13:17

Of all the Edwards I've ever known in my long life, I have never once come across one who was called Ted. Short forms are Ed, Eddie and Ned. Teddy is just for Theodore, Theodophilus and all other Theo names.

Girasoli · 01/03/2025 13:16

If the boys end up being close as cousins they'll probably like being 'The Teds' together.

Kindyeah · 01/03/2025 13:07

YANBU but they’ll definitely come to be known as ‘the Teds’.

Olika · 01/03/2025 13:05

It didn't even occur to me to call Edward Teddy or Ted. Just ignore them and call your child what you want.

Ontopofthesunset · 01/03/2025 13:05

It's only an issue if they are both going to be called Ted.

AddictedToBooks · 01/03/2025 12:55

My dad is called Edward and has never, ever been called Ted or Teddy in his 72 years - just Ed or Eddy

PuffinLord · 01/03/2025 12:29

i have an Edward and a Theodore in my immediate family - has never caused any kind of confusion, neither are called Ted or Teddy so it’s not an issue. I’d go ahead.