Need to make a decision

[piglet75]

We have got down to 2 final names for DS who is now 3 days old. We are stuck between Ted (which would be his whole name, ie. not a shortening unless someone can think of a long version that doesn't start with "Ed") & Hector.

Really torn... which do people prefer?

Hector.
Congratulations!

Hector!! Very high on my list for DS.

Theodore?

Both. I would have Theodore Hector nn Ted as I love both names. Congratulations on your new arrival,

If you're not going to have a longer version of Ted, then I'd definitely go for Hector.

Theodore, no contest.

The meaning of hector is bully and to hector means to bully or torment someone. Not good. Also, would other kids shorten to Heck?!

Ted is cute for a little boy but how about Theodore as his full name?

shoobidoo Where do you get that the meaning of Hector is "bully"?

It is from Greek (one of the characters in the Iliad) and means "steadfast."

Look in any dictionary and the definition of hector is as follows:

hec·tor (hktr)
n.
A bully.
v. hec·tored, hec·tor·ing, hec·tors
v.tr.
To intimidate or dominate in a blustering way.
v.intr.
To behave like a bully; swagger.

I think you are confusing verbs with proper nouns.

Look, I'm only trying to help the op in her decision. If she, like you, doesn't care about the meaning of the name, then that's ok.

There is no need for you to criticise my knowledge of grammar!

Congratulations!

I thought Hector as a name meant defend, hold fast. It is a great name, .

Theodore with Ted for short sounds smashing, Teddy is cute for a little boy. I have liked the name Ted since reading poetry by Ted Hughes at school, (his name was Edward). Theodore would also give your DS the option of Theo later on.

Does one name work better with your surname than the other?
Do you have other DCs with names ending in a vowel specifically -o?

There is no one aged under about 90 who uses the word hector to mean bullying, shoobidoo. Do you use ' henceforth' and 'codpiece' too?

Hector, as you will only use Ted as the full name not nickname.

I have never heard anyone use the word hector. The name Hector does not mean bully, nor in fact does the verb; it means 'to be forceful'.

Another vote for Theodore.

If you type in 'hector meaning' in google, up comes the following definition:
hec·tor Verb
Talk to (someone) in a bullying way.
Synonyms
bully

And yes, the word is indeed used in the news on a fairly regular basis - perhaps not in all newspapers. But here's a recent example:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21280212

I would personally not name my child this - there are so many other names with nice/neutral meanings!

Personally if I met a baby and his mum said, here is Hector, would I see a very small person and say hello Hector or would I think uh-oh, to hector means bully or intimidate. I would think, oh haven't met anyone called that before.

I don't suppose it bothers parents of boys called Jonah that their sons bear a name of a really, really unlucky guy in the Bible.

Anyway, wouldn't do if we all liked the same, etc etc.

Ted gets my vote. Congratulations on your new baby!

For all those not liking the meaning of Hector.

Would you say the same of Harry? Which means to ravage, to destroy, to plunder, to harass. No? Thought not.

Flippin' ridiculous.

Who cares about the meaning?

Theodore as I love Theo and Ted is cute!

Am not sure Hector would want to be called Hector when he is 11. Have just asked my boys A vehement NO was the response!

Agree with Bowlersarm; great example used there.

Also Charlie - common nickname for cocaine!

I just asked my 11 and 8 year old boys and they love the name. So each to their own Ruprekt.

Love both and couldn't give a shiny shit about name meanings.

My favourite is Hector and have considered for future use - I'm slightly put off by it being seen as an MN name as my ds's is too. Not sure why that bothers me.

Debs, think "shout other posters down" is slightly melodramatic. A bit like your take on a word which is no longer used.