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Baby names

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

Original poster

Teddy Oliver or Edward Oliver

69 replies

Gilmoregirl21 · 11/05/2026 10:19

Hi everyone,

I have a beautiful little baby boy, now 10 months old. I have been questioning our decision on his 'official' name pretty much since we registered him. We only have until 12 months to change easily, so time is running out. He is registered as Teddy Oliver. The other alternative was Edward Oliver and we would still shorten to Teddy at home, but officially he would be Edward. Thoughts please! I keep changing my mind. He is very much a Teddy, cheeky and full of energy. I do appreciate that it doesn't age as well as Edward. There are lots of ways to look at it
Popularity wise, on official lists Teddy is more popular than Edward. Thanks for voting and advice!

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WhatDoRacoonsSay · 11/05/2026 11:10

Edward.
Obviously his name is your choice to make, but Edward gives him a few more choices when older, best of both worlds.

Original poster
Gilmoregirl21 · 11/05/2026 11:10

justanothermanicm0nday · 11/05/2026 11:01

What about Theo/ Theodore if not keen on Edward

We have a Theo in the family so would be trickier. I much prefer Edward (just my preference) It was on the list for my first, but at the time my husband didn't like it!

OP posts:
MiaKulper · 11/05/2026 11:08

Theodore is awful. Edward is so much better.

Orlando27 · 11/05/2026 11:06

MiaKulper · 11/05/2026 11:02

Politicians often use the diminutive to look more friendly.

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Yes and it’s not an issue! I’m probably biased because I hate the name Edward lol. I’d choose Theodore like a previous poster said if you want a formal name.

MiaKulper · 11/05/2026 11:02

Orlando27 · 11/05/2026 10:59

Didn't really cause Tony Blair or Bill Clinton any issues using a shortened name, we’ve never known them as Anthony or William. I think nowadays there’s so many called Alfie, Archie, Billy, Ellie etc that it doesn’t raise an eyebrow at all!

Show quote history

Politicians often use the diminutive to look more friendly.

justanothermanicm0nday · 11/05/2026 11:01

What about Theo/ Theodore if not keen on Edward

MiaKulper · 11/05/2026 11:00

titchy · 11/05/2026 10:35

Didn’t do Ted Heath any harm…

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He wasn't Teddy.

Orlando27 · 11/05/2026 10:59

givemushypeasachance · 11/05/2026 10:33

As others have said, Edward and then he has options. Edwards can still be Teddy or anything else if they want to be - think of Ted Heath! But it could be a bit embarrassing as a self-conscious teenager or young adult to have to introduce yourself to others as Teddy.

Would you think it was a little unusual if a police officer introduced himself as PC Teddy Smith, or your new GP said he was Dr Teddy? Compared with PC Edward Smith or Dr Eddie.

Didn't really cause Tony Blair or Bill Clinton any issues using a shortened name, we’ve never known them as Anthony or William. I think nowadays there’s so many called Alfie, Archie, Billy, Ellie etc that it doesn’t raise an eyebrow at all!

Floppyearedlab · 11/05/2026 10:54

Edward

Teddy is a dog's name. Or a toy.

OneTimeThingToday · 11/05/2026 10:50

Every young Teddy ive known was Ted by age 8 or 9

Busybeemumm · 11/05/2026 10:50

A 50 year old Teddy would sound a bit silly. Change to Edward if you can then still call him Teddy at home and school.

EverardDeTroyes · 11/05/2026 10:46

titchy · 11/05/2026 10:35

Didn’t do Ted Heath any harm…

Show quote history

Yes, but his given name was Edward. I think the option of Edward is better if it can be easily changed. People will assume he is Edward anyway. I know because my parents gave me a shortened name and I have spent my entire life correcting people who assume my name is the longer version.

MiniMarch · 11/05/2026 10:45

titchy · 11/05/2026 10:35

Didn’t do Ted Heath any harm…

Show quote history

His birth certificate name was Edward though.

titchy · 11/05/2026 10:35

AmberSpy · 11/05/2026 10:26

Teddy is a bit of a silly name for a grown man. It's not awful but I would change it to Edward so that he has options when he's older.

Fwiw I have an adult relative who was christened Tommy. He mentioned to me once that even he can't understand why his parents didn't pick Thomas for his birth certificate.

Didn’t do Ted Heath any harm…

givemushypeasachance · 11/05/2026 10:33

As others have said, Edward and then he has options. Edwards can still be Teddy or anything else if they want to be - think of Ted Heath! But it could be a bit embarrassing as a self-conscious teenager or young adult to have to introduce yourself to others as Teddy.

Would you think it was a little unusual if a police officer introduced himself as PC Teddy Smith, or your new GP said he was Dr Teddy? Compared with PC Edward Smith or Dr Eddie.

toastofthetown · 11/05/2026 10:33

Teddy and a multitude of other -ie/-y nicknames are in the top hundred for boys and girls and so I think they’ll age just fine because there will be so many of them so I really wouldn’t worry about that.

carkerpartridge · 11/05/2026 10:30

Edward, and then he has the choice on how to be known as he grows up.

AmberSpy · 11/05/2026 10:26

Teddy is a bit of a silly name for a grown man. It's not awful but I would change it to Edward so that he has options when he's older.

Fwiw I have an adult relative who was christened Tommy. He mentioned to me once that even he can't understand why his parents didn't pick Thomas for his birth certificate.

Gassylady · 11/05/2026 10:23

Edward and then he can choose his preferred version as he gets older. Edward, Ed, Teddy, Eddie. Whereas Teddy is Teddy, or Ted I guess. Teddy I would think of as cute at 4 and a little odd if I was introduced to a taller than me big 16 year old!

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