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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Can I call my baby girl Teddy/Teddie?

155 replies

ems942 · 11/07/2015 11:07

My baby girl is due soon. Had previously thought I'd love to call her Autumn, would have used Teddy for a boy but I love it so much I want to call my little girl Teddy. Am I being ridiculous? I'm not keen on Thea and really not on Theodora.

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SoupDragon · 12/07/2015 08:08

Robbie Williams has a daughter called Teddy but she is a Theodora.

ExtremelyStubbornAndSuspicious · 12/07/2015 08:03

I much prefer Autumn - beautiful name :)

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 12/07/2015 07:54

Thea?

nooka · 11/07/2015 19:05

Theas18 Shirley was originally a male name, and Big Daddy was actually a Shirley Junior, named after his father. There are quite a few names that have done a male to female switch.

I'd not call a child Teddy, especially if they were female. At least boys have the option of 'Ted' if they aren't keen on being a bit cutsie, but it leaves no option at all for girls apart from using a middle name.

charlyn · 11/07/2015 18:39

Its ok as a nickname I guess. But please don't use Teddy as the stand alone name, give her options.

Artandco · 11/07/2015 17:47

Every -' Theodora ripped to shreds', really? I don't see that.

Here ( central London), inner city state schools and private are full of children from all nationalities so nothing seems strange. Ie I know both Daniel and Danylos in same class, same name, different nationality. Sebastian fits in as well as Hussein. Otto alongside Sulaman , Penelope and and Faris

Everythinghaschanged · 11/07/2015 17:26

I think it also depends on what kind of family you are, the circles you mix in and the lifestyle you lead.

In the inner city comprehensive school where I work, a 'Teddy' would be mocked and a 'Theodora' would be ripped to shreds. Sorry but that's a fact of life.

A Krystal or Chanelle or Britney would fit in perfectly.

WizardOfToss · 11/07/2015 17:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

reuset · 11/07/2015 17:13
Grin

Good one, OP.

No, obviously it's probably not the best idea to stick 'Teddy' on the birth cert of a little baby, boy or girl, (who will grow into a young person then adult, who will have to introduce themselves to people by said name).

villainousbroodmare · 11/07/2015 15:46

Of course you can call your daughter Teddy! It's very cute and cuddly.
Can you NAME her Teddy? Please, please do not. It's actually cruel.
Theodora, Thea... both mature and lovely names.

I can totally understand the attraction of a sweet, appealing pet name, but simply don't know why people feel the need to make it the given name. Some of the best nicknames are not derived from the person's given name at all. And lots of people have several nicknames, maybe used in different circles or at different times in their lives, inspired by different events or aspects of their appearance or personality.

Theas18 · 11/07/2015 15:07

That argument doesn't hold water Bertrand. The wrestler big daddy is called Shirley - though I would guess that's why he became a wrestler lol

BertrandRussell · 11/07/2015 15:00

Or even Maisie?

BertrandRussell · 11/07/2015 15:00

Would you call a boy Masie? No? Then don't give a girl a boy's name.

Ausflug · 11/07/2015 14:55

How about a name that means bear as the full name?

Ursula? Misha?

Callisto?

GemmeFatale · 11/07/2015 14:54

If you don't like Theodora or Edwina, Ursula means little bear so you could nickname Teddy from there

EmpressKnowsWhereHerTowelIs · 11/07/2015 14:53

I agree, Teddy / Teddie as a cute NN, fine. As a whole thing, NO. I've got a long name with multiple shortenings and I'm massively grateful to my parents for giving me the whole thing. It meant I could try out several of the shorts as a child / teen and then use the whole thing as an adult.

OP, I'd suggest you try introducing yourself to people as Teddy, see what reaction you get and then think about how your DD would feel about it.

Spintastic · 11/07/2015 14:52

Don't people on here talk some utter shit Grin

Bohemond · 11/07/2015 14:50

Does not pass the high court judge test

PurpleDaisies · 11/07/2015 14:46

I don't like it at all. I think it will be a bit of a marmite name to be honest (as you can see from the replies on this thread), but if you and your oh really love it do what you think is best.

LikeABadSethRogenMovie · 11/07/2015 14:46

I know two female Teddie/Teddy's, both adults. One of them is a pediatric dr and the other is a qualified lawyer, although she's a SAHM now. Hasn't appeared to have hindered either of them at all. They are American though if that changes anything.

It's also the name of the lead female character in Disney's Good Luck Charlie, which has helped made it pretty mainstream now.

If you love the name, go for it. I like it.

larant · 11/07/2015 14:44

I could imagine a confident girl or woman would be fine with this. But for an unconfident girl, it could be a nightmare. It also sounds very feminine, which will seem strange if she grows up to be very unfeminine.

BlossomTang · 11/07/2015 14:41

I'm sorry but it sounds utterly ridiculous on anyone older than 5. Noticed Ned is much more common in my neck of the woods as a nn for Edward.

MaggieJoyBlunt · 11/07/2015 14:37

Yes; Teddie short for Hazel. Apparently Hmm

Can I call my baby girl Teddy/Teddie?
MaggieJoyBlunt · 11/07/2015 14:35

Wasn't one of the Beverley sisters called Teddy?

Tequilashotfor1 · 11/07/2015 14:33

There is actually a young woman near me called pebbles

I wouldn't op

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