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

What do you really think of the name Teddy?

124 replies

Fruitcake13 · 17/09/2018 11:55

My DH and I are finding it very difficult to pick a boys names, we have two DS's already.
I do really like the name Teddy but don't know if he will hate us when he's 14!

What are your honest thoughts on the name?
TIA

OP posts:
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MrsBlondie · 17/09/2018 12:37

Its ridiculous!

lynmilne65 · 17/09/2018 12:40

Roosevelt

chipshape · 17/09/2018 12:48

Terrible. And I know three under the age of 5

NonaGrey · 17/09/2018 12:51

Put something else on the BC.

A 14 yo Teddy isn’t the issue - a 41 Teddy is considerably less cute.

Edward or Theodore are both great names.

Madmarchpear · 17/09/2018 12:53

It's OK on a baby, not my taste. I don't think there'll be many 15 year old Teddys in the future. Ask yourself if you can live with an older child called Ed or Ted because that's most likely when they hit high school.

Cheeseplantandpickle · 17/09/2018 12:53

Fancied it as a nickname for Theodore for child one before we knew they were a girl. Glad it didnt happen as we're tripping over Theo/Teds/Teddy round here.

Cobblersandhogwash · 17/09/2018 12:55

I have s Theodore. He's known as Ted, Teddy, Theo plus other family pet names.

I like the versatility of Theodore or Edward.

twinkydink · 17/09/2018 12:59

It's a lovely name. I really dont understand the demand from so many posters to have a real name on the birth certificate. I'm in my mid 30s and I don't know anyone who was called by a nickname as a child and reverted to a full name as an adult. I do on the other hand know a number of people who were given full names and now only ever go by their cutesy NN! Jennifer is only ever known as Jenny/Jen Edward called Ed/Eddie.

If you like the name use it.

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 17/09/2018 13:07

I'm in my mid 30s and I don't know anyone who was called by a nickname as a child and reverted to a full name as an adult

Just because you don't know any it doesn't mean that they don't exist chances are some of your work colleagues had a childhood nickname and use their full name as an adult.

Whilst names like Teddy are sweet for children it's pretty unfair to not give any option for a 'proper' name once they are grown up. I cant imagine how frustrating it must be if you have a nickname and no option to sound more mature as you get older.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 17/09/2018 13:20

It's cute for a baby or toddler but you're not naming a child, you're naming a person. He'll hate it when he's a teenager and as a grown man it will sound completely ridiculous.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 17/09/2018 13:26

I like it, but I'd have to put Edward on the birth certificate.

Even though I'm only 25, I'm very insistent on my children having proper, formal names. I could never put teddy on the BC.

DiegoMad0nna · 17/09/2018 13:27

I'm in my mid 30s and I don't know anyone who was called by a nickname as a child and reverted to a full name as an adult

I'm in my mid 30s and know a John who was Johnny at school, a Steve who Stevie until he was 11/12, and a Kate who was Katie until uni. And those are just the few among my closest friends who I can think of off the top of my head.

DiegoMad0nna · 17/09/2018 13:28

Oh I even knew a Nicky at secondary school! He's Nick now.

Theg00dwife · 17/09/2018 13:32

I know quite a few around here. Mostly aged 7-10, they are mostly called Ted but one in particular is Teddy. It’s not really an issue as I’m so used to hearing the name. I like it.

NameChangeyMcChangerson · 17/09/2018 13:32

We have an Edward that we call Teddy - but he's two months old at the moment, I don't think we'll be calling him Teddy when he's 14! I assume he'll naturally morph into Ed or Ted as he gets older and I wouldn't have wanted to not give him that option.

Fruitcake13 · 17/09/2018 14:03

Thanks everyone.
I had no idea Teddy was so popular Confused
I really like Theodore, my DH doesn't though.
I'm not keen on using it as a NN because my DS is Finley and DH and I have been insistent that he is called by Finley and not Finn so think family will think we're nuts!

Really finding it hard to pick a name for a boy!!

OP posts:
Sunflower321 · 17/09/2018 14:30

Teddy as in Teddy Bear 🐻? Ridiculous imo. Unless you're naming a stuffed animal!

Don't people use teddy to describe a teddy bear anymore?

Theodore is nice, although maybe becoming a little trendy/overused.

PiperPublickOccurrences · 17/09/2018 14:31

Fine as a nickname for a toddler.

Bloody awful on an older man wanting to be taken seriously. Call him Theodore. Or Edward. Then use Ted/Ed/Teddy as a nickname if you absolutely must but then at least he has the option for a less cutesy name when he wasnts to be taken seriously.

Sunflower321 · 17/09/2018 14:32

Teddy Bear, Pussy Cat, etc... not good for a grown man or woman imo.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 17/09/2018 14:34

My brother (41) is Teddy (Edward), or these days Dr Teddy. It's a great name, and used to be unusual, but every second boy in East London is now called Teddy, which might be something to take into account.

SpoonBlender · 17/09/2018 14:34

Only as a short form, don't give him that as a full name.

In adults it can only be a fat American man in jeans, plaid shirt and a cowboy hat.

BertrandRussell · 17/09/2018 14:38

It’s a charming pet name for a little boy. Edward is a fantastic name because of all the possible shortenings.

Sunflower321 · 17/09/2018 14:40

You can name your son any name and still call him Teddy as a baby.

Cheeseplantandpickle · 17/09/2018 14:48

It's a great name, and used to be unusual, but every second boy in East London is now called Teddy, which might be something to take into account.

Cheeseplantandpickle · 17/09/2018 14:48

^^True

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