Does Teddy need a 'grown up' name?

Yes. Teddy is a baby name. It spells unattractive to me, although I love Edward.

Theodore is so American sounding to me, and wet.

I still think if they want to call him Teddy just name him Ted, which is an adult name.

I went to school with a girl whose birth certificate was Kate, as a child she went by Katie and now she is Kate. Her parents never intended to call her Katherine so why bother?

Our ds is Teddy but Edward on birth certificate. Love the name Teddy but thought about if he interviewed for a professional job would he prefer an 'adult' name.

It sounds like you've made your decision OP but adding my voice to the suggestions that you give him the option of a "formal" name for when he's older. Teddy is fairly cutesy and having a more traditional name for work etc may come in useful.

Yes 100% needs a proper name: Edward or Theodore

My real life name is like this - a proper serious full version and a very childish-sounding shortened version. I'm the full version for job applications etc but the shortened version for every day. It is easier to have the choice because I need passports and birth certificates even at interview stage and when I want to be taken seriously (e.g. complaints departments). I'd like to think that in 20 years crap like this won't matter, but I wouldn't risk it.

My partner has a bit of a 'novelty' name. I like it, but it's caused comments and laughter his whole life; still does. He would have preferred a more regular name. I feel like Teddy would always get commented on, which is why Theodore would be perfect! (I realise you don't think Teddy is a novelty name, OP, but I think other people might!).

Isn't teddy also short for Theodore ?

Edward is a good choice, I like Theodore too equally.

I have two children, (both names changed below) DD has the "nickname" on her birth certificate, its her true name. (Only once this year have I had the question "Is she Dolly on the birth certificate?" "Yes")

DS we call "Teddy" but he's Edward on the birth certificate.

So, with DS, at school his teacher calls him Teddy. But most of his school notebooks/labels etc say Edward. "Official" certificates (eg for a music exam) say Edward. Letters about school places say Edward. Doctors appointments are for Edward. The savings account for his future is in the name of Edward. His passport says Edward. etc etc. It isn't a case of, put it on the birth certificate and then its an option for his future. It really is his name.

So please think about whether you REALLY want him to have the name of Teddy REALLY or whether you are happy to see him increasingly, as he grows up, referred to everywhere as Edward.

Life and identity is very slightly easier for DD who is absolutely and definitely Dolly in all cases and situations everywhere.

Definitely a full name on the birth certificate. I would hate to be an adult with name like Teddy or Dolly.

I'd probably have Ted on the bc , that's more of a "grown up" name . Unless you actually like Edward. I personally don't so id never give an official name just because people say I should. Theodore is nicer

Why would you name your child a name (Edward) but tell anyone that that's his name ?

If you prefer the name Ted or Teddy, just call him that!

I almost named my DS Teddy. He can always go by Ted as a more “grown-up” option. Edward is ok but to me the natural shortening is Eddy/Ed.

I would register as Edward but don't tell people that. Just say his name is Teddy. If they ask if its short for something I would say no - his name is Teddy. (Otherwise people that don't like the name Teddy will feel free to not use it) Then see how things pan out several years down the line, it should only be in response to what Teddy wants - not what other adults opinions are about his name...

Honestly where do people get these ideas? “Oh wow, Cambridge degree and wonderful internships but he’s called Teddy? NEXT”

If I received a CV with that name, I would never dismiss it (provided they were suitably qualified). I would however do a double take and have a silent giggle in my head when I saw the name. If I saw it on a sign in sheet at nursery though I wouldn’t give it a second glance.

Having helped my boss review CVs when I worked in the City, no one would have blinked an eye at the name Teddy. Honestly where do people get these ideas? “Oh wow, Cambridge degree and wonderful internships but he’s called Teddy? NEXT”

but he can be Ed/Eddie/Ted without having to be Edward, anyway, can't he?

I don't know a single Teddy. I know of 2 Neds but that's it.

Teddy is a lovely name on it's own. And there's nothing wrong with going for a professional job with the name Teddy. If employers really judge based on names that a person gets no say over then that really does seem totally unfair.

Yawn at the tired old doctor/lawyer thing

I'd register as a longer version. I do generally think it's fine on its own - it is so popular that the cutsey thing won't be an issue when he's older as there'll be loads of adult teddys. Buuuut as there is no guarantee the child will like their given name I always think it's best to give options for shortening or nns where possible.

Called our newborn DS Edward and when pregnant planned to shorten it to Teddy or Bear but actually, he just suits Edward . I definitely wouldn’t want to be an adult going for a serious job named Teddy...

All the small Teddy's I know are actually Edward. Teddy to me is a child's name - not the name of a ceo / dr/ lawyer etc.

My little boy is Freddie. He was always going to be known as Fred/Freddie but we really felt he needed a full name as he might want that option when he’s older so he’s Alfred on his birth certificate. Lots of people have questioned why we did it though which surprised me. That being said, I teach and there are plenty of Freddies and Teddys aged 7 and under so as a previous poster said it probably won’t be that much on an issue when these children are adults. If I had an Edward, he would be known as Teddy.