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Baby names

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

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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Strictly1972 · 05/03/2020 12:25

I love it

WildCherryBlossom · 05/03/2020 12:25

I know a Teddy short for Theodora. I think it's fine as a nickname but personally I would use something else for her "formal" name.

ImportantWater · 05/03/2020 12:22

It’s one of my favourite names for a boy (had a great uncle Ted) but even then I would have used Edward or Theodore and had it as a nickname.
I wouldn’t like to be called it as a girl unless it was a nickname. It would feel undignified.

ashtyler · 05/03/2020 12:20

Cookit yes, hence the Wink

Icanttakethiscrapanymore · 05/03/2020 12:20

I considered Teddy for a girl when I was pregnant. I even posted about and got very harsh responses Grin

I had a ds and didn’t use Teddy for him either.
I still like it and I’m 99% sure I’d of used it for a girl. I was going to use Theodora and use it as a nickname.
I think it’s lovely op and if you like it then go for it

RipleysCat · 05/03/2020 12:17

Not controversial, but hilarious, I’d be dying to laugh if someone told me that was their kids name.
One of my kids have been given a way out there name so I’m not adverse to the unusual.
There’s plenty of bonkers but lovely names out there, chose one of them, no need to make this kid a laughing stock.

Cookit · 05/03/2020 12:16

There's a female Teddy on Grey's Anatomy...and she's a heart surgeon
And even she (a fictional character!) is actually Theodora!

Cookit · 05/03/2020 12:15

I really hate the name Teddy as either a boy or girl’s name. It’s just so so twee.
It’s fine when it’s short for something, I think a lot of us use cutesy names on our babies and toddlers, but as a stand-alone name it’s really bad.

midwestspring · 05/03/2020 12:10

It's not offensive at all, but it's usually a nickname and short for a more formal name, like Theodora

There would be nothing wrong with using it as your everyday day nn but I would give them a formal name that they could use if they wanted to when older or in certain settings.

ashtyler · 05/03/2020 12:09

There's a female Teddy on Grey's Anatomy...and she's a heart surgeon Wink

Spied · 05/03/2020 12:08

Baby needs a 'proper' name. Teddy as a nn is fine but it would be cruel not to give your DD an option.

AudacityOfHope · 05/03/2020 12:07

Well, I call my kids 'Bear' all the time, but they have actual human names too. If you're desperate to use it, please give her a proper name she can use if she wants to.

goldenorbspider · 05/03/2020 12:07

I think it's a lovely nickname op. Why don't you trial the name on yourself for a week.

datasgingercatspot · 05/03/2020 12:07

It's not even a boy's name! It's a nickname.

Whatsyourflava · 05/03/2020 12:07

There’s literally hundreds of baby Sonny’s now. But if you read a thread on here everyone seems to act as if the name is unheard of and only used as a nickname.
I do worry a bit that people are put off using perfectly fine names because of the MN reaction when most of us are aged over 35 and a little out of touch. Please please don’t pile on me everyone. I’m just offering OP another point of view but I do respect everyone else’s right to do so too

BluntAndToThePoint80 · 05/03/2020 12:05

Agree with the majority. If you must, use it as a nickname and give her one of the longer, actual human names that can be shortened to Teddy... poor kid.

Comefromaway · 05/03/2020 12:05

Or even Theodosia (starts singing)

Whatsyourflava · 05/03/2020 12:04

@lucie8881 of course it’s not cruel. It’s a perfectly nice name and I actually like it for a girl or boy.

I don’t want everyone to pile on me here but as a whole on Mumsnet we do tend to be a bit behind the curve and maybe many of us are in the older mum age bracket so have more conservative tastes.

Until very recently names like Albert and Rupert were laughing stocks on here now both names top 100 or very close. Names like Albie and Sonny are really high up the charts (both top 100) but are described as joke names on here even today.

Teddy is cool I think.

Antihop · 05/03/2020 12:03

Please don't call her that. If you insist, at least have edwina or theadora as her full name so she has options when she's older.

TulipsTulipsTulips · 05/03/2020 12:02

It’s cruel because it is very babyish, and it could be embarrassing for your daughter when she’s a teenager and an adult. She could also be teased and bullied. If you want her to have a good start in life, then it would be kinder to give her a name that will be appropriate for all stages of her life.

puds11 · 05/03/2020 12:02

Teddy is a nickname for Theodora. It’s not just a boys name Hmm

Perfectly fine.

Talcott2007 · 05/03/2020 12:00

It's a cute nick name but for me it doesn't pass the 'if they grow up to be a Doctor or high court judge test'

Theodora or similar as a full name would be fine and then you can go crazy on the nicknames.

YouJustDoYou · 05/03/2020 11:59

Imagine a woman in her 30s or whatever trying to get a job and her name's "Teddy". People do judge, let alone children. Pets and toys are called "Teddy". Don't lumber the poor kid with a name like that.

MilleniumHallsWalledGarden · 05/03/2020 11:59

For god's sake don't spell it with an 'i' as suggested upthread.

Teddy could be short for Edwina or Theodora. I think it's fine as long as there's a full name to back it up.

Original poster
lucie8881 · 05/03/2020 11:55

I'm not seeing it as particularly cruel? But looking at the replies it would seem I'm in the minority Blush

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