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Baby names

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Original poster

Teddy for a girl, is it really that controversial??

210 replies

lucie8881 · 05/03/2020 11:45

Now I'm not overly swayed by others opinions because when it comes to names as we all have our preferences. Whether you love or loathe a name depends a lot on your own personal experiences, thoughts and feelings. I've always gone along with if you're happy with your choice and it's not offensive pretty much all's good.

I'm pregnant with a little girl due in June, myself and DH have been pondering names and on our shortlist is the name Teddy. We'll pick a middle name as well but haven't really given much consideration to that as yet. I was speaking with my DM and she asked me about names, I mentioned a few before getting to Teddy, at which point she was horrified!
Not just "I'm not keen" but more along the lines of "you can't name a baby that, it's not a proper name" and we're being cruel and opening up the child to being bullied at school. The conversation ended with DM saying if we used the name she wouldn't be using it, she would use the baby's middle name or something else more appropriate. I responded with its best we don't discuss names any further and leave it at that.

Sorry about the ramble, but I'm not sure whether I'm missing something?? I get that it may be not to everyone's taste but is it really that offensive?

It's made me question my judgement a little so just wondering what others opinions are?

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Original poster
lucie8881 · 05/03/2020 20:41

Someone upthread mentioned Robbie, his daughter is Theodora but he refers to her as Teddy

OP posts:
AnotherMurkyDay · 05/03/2020 20:38

Robbie Williams has a daughter called Teddy Rose doesn't he?

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 05/03/2020 20:34

Like most people on the thread I really like Theodora and think Teddy is fine as a shortening for it.

FWIW my dd has a “Sunday name” but we have called her by a shortening since she was born. On school enrolment forms I wrote her as “Elizabeth (Libby) Smith” and so she is always called Libby.

I remember one time saying “Come on Elizabeth - time to go home” when at a party and all the other mums being really surprised that that is her name.

I hope she will always be “Libby” but if she decides at 12 or 22 or 32 that she wants to be Elizabeth or Liz or Beth or Eliza then she can.

NB her name is not Elizabeth!

Lazydaisydaydream · 05/03/2020 20:21

Never mind the name.... I can't believe what your mum said Hmm. I would be seriously annoyed at that and making it clear here and now that I wouldn't be accepting my child being referred to by a different name.

This is why it's generally better not to discuss names before the baby is born though, as people feel free to give you their opinions in ways they wouldn't do once it's officially announced as the babies name.

PlanDeRaccordement · 05/03/2020 20:21

A Teddy is a type of sexy lingerie in the USA. Or a plush toy.

I would not name a child Teddy. Especially a girl.

Chienloup · 05/03/2020 20:19

My daughter is Theodora and so far (aged 5) has only ever been known as Teddy. We wanted a name with lots of options - Theodora, Teddy, Ted, Thea, Dora.

Original poster
lucie8881 · 05/03/2020 20:18

"Are you thinking Bear as a middle name?"

I was thinking more along the lines of Ruxpin ...

Seriously, no, we would choose something more conventional as a middle name

OP posts:
GordonBennett20 · 05/03/2020 20:17

I honestly dont mind it, but I would use a longer name personally just in case for when shes older.

I mean I know someone with a child called Everest so I dont think Teddy is too out there in comparison! Grin

TotesGodsWill · 05/03/2020 20:15

I don’t like Teddy as a full name even for a boy. I get that his peers will be Alfie, Albie etc but Teddy just feels so babyish even with the influx of silly cutesy names

I really hate the idea of giving boys names to girls. Nicknames fine, there have always been unisex nicknames like Sam and Alex. But not having a boys name as the whole name (or vice versus).

Teddy as a nickname for Theodora etc isn’t my taste but is fine. Teddy on its own especially for a girl is awful

daisypond · 05/03/2020 20:10

There's a Teddy at my sons nursery - full name Theodora and I think it's really sweet and quirky. I'm clearly in the minority!
No, most are in agreement with you - it’s fine as a nickname for a proper full name.

Seahawk80 · 05/03/2020 20:05

There's a Teddy at my sons nursery - full name Theodora and I think it's really sweet and quirky. I'm clearly in the minority!

Mallory29 · 05/03/2020 20:04

Sorry, I don’t like it at all.

Fine as a nickname, fine as a boys’ name (although I personally think it’s too cutesy for a full name even then), but it’s literally the name of a baby’s stuffed toy. Far too twee and babyish, especially for a girl, who will already have to work harder than a boy to “prove herself” in life. This kind of babified name just seems to play to the idea that girls should be small, sweet, cute, adorable, etc. etc.

Theodora, on the other hand, is an excellent strong, feminine name! I’d have no qualms about that with Teddy for short. But as a full name? No no no.

Namechangexyz1 · 05/03/2020 20:00

I would personally hate to be called that and am so glad my parents gave me an old classic traditional name.

FamilyOfAliens · 05/03/2020 19:57

I didn't think it was that out-there or unusual

It’s not. It’s just a bit of a crap name for a child.

LadySlipper · 05/03/2020 19:57

I love it. For a girl or a boy.

ChristmasCarcass · 05/03/2020 19:56

Or if you don’t end up going with Teddy, you could call her Lego, or Brio, or Bratz, or Shopkins. All beautiful names for a little girl. “Shopkins Smith” in particular has a very elegant ring to it.

Lordfrontpaw · 05/03/2020 19:53

I worked with a Teddy Bearen once. I really wanted him to be cuddly and cute but he wasn’t. He was a bit gruff though.

DecemberSnow · 05/03/2020 19:50

The child would be bullied...

Are you thinking "Bear" as a middle name?

Seriously OP.... Dont do this to your poor baby

Lordfrontpaw · 05/03/2020 19:48

I came on to day Teddie (Hazel) from the Beverly sisters. No I’m not that old but my parents were children during the war. I thought it was cute.

AlanRickmanFanClub · 05/03/2020 19:44

I don't think its a name for either a boy or a girl. Its a name for a stuffed toy.

I'll be sure to pass that piece of information on to my Uncle Teddy. Hmm

LouLouLoo · 05/03/2020 19:27

It’s awful, sorry.

Ninkanink · 05/03/2020 19:25

I like it as a nickname for Theodora. Not keen on it as a name in its own right.

Cohle · 05/03/2020 19:23

Well I don't think it's offensive or anything, but it's a nickname and a boy's one at that. If I was your mother I would be urging you to reconsider too.

It's not just about "your own personal experiences, thoughts and feelings", it's about your child and a name they will have to live with their entire life.

RuthW · 05/03/2020 17:33

Call her Theodora. Lovely name

Panpastels · 05/03/2020 16:39

I like it as a nickname but I think a child needs options!

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