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Baby names

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

Original poster

Teddy - is this name really that popular?

46 replies

sweetnosugar · 18/05/2020 17:54

Post is for a family member.
She’s pregnant with her first and is in love with the name Teddy for a boy.
She doesn’t want Theodore or Edward as she knows a Theo and a Ed. She likes Teddy as it is, cutesy as a baby name then Ted as they get older. So isn’t after alternative suggestions.. for now anyway!
Personally where I live there is no Teddy’s around here or in my children’s schools and she isn’t really aware of popular baby names with it being her first.
We notice that near enough everyone on here says how overly popular it is, but is it really? Do you personally know many, or have a Teddy yourself? Or does it just get suggested a lot to make it seem popular?
Thanks in advance. Flowers

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Ineedabreak19 · 18/05/2020 23:39

I know 8 boys by the name of Teddy from the ages of 1 to 12 so I'd say it was very popular. I wouldn't choose it because of its popularity & also it's weird for a 40 Yr old man to be called Teddy.

BeMorePacific · 18/05/2020 23:34

I have a 3.5year old called Ted (Edward). We have been to every class/group under the sun for the 1st 2 years of his life. He’s been in 2 nurseries and I haven’t met anyone else with his name. I have met 3 dogs called Ted though!
I’d say Teddy is growing in popularity now xx

Strawberrypancakes · 18/05/2020 23:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whatsyourflava · 18/05/2020 23:14

I've inboxed you some statistics @sweetnosugar - check your messages, hope helpful.

Whatsyourflava · 18/05/2020 23:13

I gather it's fairly popular but I've spent 6 years at baby groups and not met a Teddy or Ted yet. I actually don't know any Theo's either though I'm told that's popular too.

ZebraKid71 · 18/05/2020 22:57

Along with Freddie it's the most popular boys name in my toddlers and baby's groups/nurseries.

Cbeebiesrehab · 18/05/2020 21:06

Very popular in my area. The most frequently heard boys name for me.

wingingit987 · 18/05/2020 20:40

'There’s one from my antenatal group of 8. No idea what’s on his birth certificate, but his mum seems the sensible sort so I hope he’s an Edward/Theodore for grown-up use'
*
I don't know who posted that comment but my brothers name is teddy he's 23. All of his friends call him ted. It's never effected him in adult life so go for it. He's never had to use as different name for grown up use.*

Flamingolingo · 18/05/2020 20:02

It’s definitely making a comeback. I like it as a shortening for Theodore, but I assume Ted fell out of favour because of Bundy.

Maryann1975 · 18/05/2020 19:59

FWIW, Ds has a top 5 name for the year he was born, he is the only one in his year apparently. And there are two boys in class with what I would consider to be an unusual name, I reckon the parents are probably a bit miffed that their unique name isn’t quite so unique.

TeddyBeans · 18/05/2020 19:58

I have a Theodore nn Teddy who's just turned two and other than one 5 year old I work with who is just Teddy I've yet to come across another one (I work in a school)

Maryann1975 · 18/05/2020 19:56

I know two teddy’s. One is 4, the other a baby.

allthingsred · 18/05/2020 19:54

I know 4 teddy's all preschool age. Think it's becoming more & more popular

user1493494961 · 18/05/2020 19:49

I'd say it is very popular, I know several.

123Dancewithme · 18/05/2020 19:24

It’s very popular, on its own and short for Edward or Theodore. I know loads.

Adelais · 18/05/2020 18:23

It’s popular in my area. Some are just Teddy and some have Theodore as their official name.

BilboBercow · 18/05/2020 18:22

It's adorable for a baby but not for an actual name on the birth certificate. Grown adult men shouldn't have Teddy as their formal name

ILoveYou3000 · 18/05/2020 18:15

It was ranked 39 in 2018 with 1663 babies being given the name. It has moved up 202 places in 10 years.

Edward is ranked 24 and Theodore 29.

So, yes I'd say Teddy is popular going by ranking but with the actual number used it's not like you'll be hearing them everywhere you go.

userabcname · 18/05/2020 18:07

I know about 4 preschoolers with this name. And a few adult Teds, although not sure if they are shortened from Edward/Theodore.

OccasionalNachos · 18/05/2020 18:06

There’s one from my antenatal group of 8. No idea what’s on his birth certificate, but his mum seems the sensible sort so I hope he’s an Edward/Theodore for grown-up use.

It suits him v well & is a lovely name - I say go for it!

Dreamscomingtrue · 18/05/2020 18:01

My grandson who’s one is called Teddy. I call him Ted. On the birth certificate he’s Edward so he can choose what name he prefers when he’s older. I’ve been told that it is a really popular name now because a lot of Edwards and Theodores used the shortened version of Ted as a nickname.