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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would yout Ted or Teddy on birth certificate?

89 replies

TheyCallMeLofty · 17/06/2009 12:23

Not pg but ttc. Love Ted but not Edward so out of Ted and Teddy which one would you use on the birth certificate?

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piscesmoon · 17/06/2009 20:55

Exactly-he chose Ted from a sensible, proper name!
If you don't like Edward-flier has a good alternative.

flier · 17/06/2009 20:49

I'd put Theodore on the birth certificate

Original poster
theycallmelofty · 17/06/2009 20:47

But Ted isn't a nickname for George is it piscesmoon?

OP posts:
piscesmoon · 17/06/2009 20:44

My whole point angrypixie-he has the choice!

Original poster
theycallmelofty · 17/06/2009 20:41

I suspect Teddy Sheringham will always be Teddy, even when he's 80. And if a footbaler can pull off teddy, can't anyone?

I'm not being argumentive but I do find this very intresting

OP posts:
angrypixie · 17/06/2009 20:40

Yes Piscesmoon, I have a Great Uncle Teddy and he must love it because his real name is ..... George

piscesmoon · 17/06/2009 19:42

I would only ever use Edward, Edwin or Edmund on the certificate. It has the advantage that your DS then has lots of choice. Would a 60yr old want to be called Teddy?!

hazeyjane · 17/06/2009 19:29

Ted (I know 2, they are both Ted's on their birth certificate)

I'm not a big fan of Teddy, but Ted is lovely.

I don't see what the big problem is with using shortened versions/nicknames, if it is that name that you like.

flowerybeanbag · 17/06/2009 19:27

Sorry, I didn't need rather and prefer in the same sentence there!

flowerybeanbag · 17/06/2009 19:26

I don't think anyone is saying any name is 'unacceptable' either angrypixie. Some people would rather prefer to give their child the option of a formal name. Others don't think it's necessary or important. No one is saying either option is not valid or that any name is unacceptable.

jellybeans · 17/06/2009 18:34

I like Ted. Short names are more usual now, many more people choose Alfie and Freddie than Alfred and Frederick, Zach than Zachary, Ben than Benjamin etc, so in 20 years most Drs and judges etc will have short names or even 'made up' names as their birth name. I know a baby Teddy (his full name) but prefer Ted really.

I don't get choosing the long version to be known by another. Kids often take the mickey at secondary school with long old fashioned names, there was a Theodore in my class who was mocked on his name. I have a long name, never use it. My DS has the short version of a name, don't have any trouble with it.

angrypixie · 17/06/2009 18:19

There was a time, not so long ago, that people were told to Anglicise names so as to be more acceptable for certain professions.

I find the idea that any name is unacceptable frankly weird! It is the person who commands the respect, regardless of their name. (Cupcake Brown is an attorney)

If Ted is your name, that is your name; not a nickname or a pet name, simply your name!

mrswoolf · 17/06/2009 17:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flowerybeanbag · 17/06/2009 17:45

Who said the name would dictate the career choice?? The argument is that, should the child choose a career requiring projection of gravitas as seeker says, he or she may prefer to have the option of a more serious, formal name rather than only having the option of what most people would see as a nickname.

seeker · 17/06/2009 17:43

No your name does not dictate your career choice. However, if you have a job where you have to project a serious amount of "gravitas' it may not be very helpful if you are called Tinkerbelle!

Who is Cupcake Brown, by the way?

angrypixie · 17/06/2009 17:32

Ted rocks, and the old 'high court judge' thing makes me want to SCREAM!!!!

Your name does not dictate your career choice. Look at Cupcake Brown ffs.

Firawla · 17/06/2009 17:15

i would put theodore, i dont like edward either
but just teddy may be okay cos i have noticed its becoming quite popular, and im sure people do put short names on the birth cert like Alfie and that kind of thing

LisaJasper · 17/06/2009 14:15

I think it is fine to have Teddy on the birth certificate, most people don't have a choice anyway and formal names are becoming less and less common so in 30 years time if he is a high court judge or such like he will be working with the likes of jack, daisy, ethan and mia - so it won't sound so baby like, I'm sure people had the same conversations about the popular names of the 70's and now we don't think twice about them!

seeker · 17/06/2009 14:11

He won't be a bay for long - Ted or Teddy might seem a bit babyish to a teenager. Ed or Ned might be cooler. Give him the choice!

sleepycat · 17/06/2009 14:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

belgo · 17/06/2009 14:03

If you want to call him Ted, put Ted on the birth certificate. Don't put Edward or Theodore if you don't like them.

Agree with theycallmelofty, they don't need lots of choices.

seeker · 17/06/2009 14:03

Edward or Theodore.

sleepycat · 17/06/2009 14:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
theycallmelofty · 17/06/2009 14:01

Why does he need all this choice? I have one name, its never shortened or lengthened, I don't feel hard done by

OP posts:
VeraChuckandDave · 17/06/2009 13:34

I'd use Edward (but Ted rather than Teddy if that's a no-no)