Does Teddy need a 'grown up' name?

[MercuryRising]

Help! We had a little boy 3 weeks ago who we have called Teddy. We have yet to register his birth, in part because we cannot decide if on his birth certificate we should register him as Teddy or Edward. I don't think he will ever be referred to as Edward but members of my family keep telling me that Teddy is more of a nickname so it would be good for him to have the full name of Edward registered in case he wants to use it later in life. Im really unsure and feel that I might regret either choice. What do you think wise ladies?

Isn't teddy also short for Theodore ?

My partner has a bit of a 'novelty' name. I like it, but it's caused comments and laughter his whole life; still does. He would have preferred a more regular name. I feel like Teddy would always get commented on, which is why Theodore would be perfect! (I realise you don't think Teddy is a novelty name, OP, but I think other people might!).

Charley50 that is exactly what I am worried about. Dp and I discussed this this evening and have agreed ds will be Edward but we will call him Teddy and introduce him as such until he is old enough to decide which name he wants to use. I was googling earlier and hadn't realised Teddy Sheringham is actually Edward. I love the fact he is known as Teddy as an adult, but do realise that just because we love the name doesn't mean ds will. Thank you everybody for your opinions it has been really helpful.

My real life name is like this - a proper serious full version and a very childish-sounding shortened version. I'm the full version for job applications etc but the shortened version for every day. It is easier to have the choice because I need passports and birth certificates even at interview stage and when I want to be taken seriously (e.g. complaints departments). I'd like to think that in 20 years crap like this won't matter, but I wouldn't risk it.

Yes 100% needs a proper name: Edward or Theodore

It sounds like you've made your decision OP but adding my voice to the suggestions that you give him the option of a "formal" name for when he's older. Teddy is fairly cutesy and having a more traditional name for work etc may come in useful.

Our ds is Teddy but Edward on birth certificate. Love the name Teddy but thought about if he interviewed for a professional job would he prefer an 'adult' name.

I still think if they want to call him Teddy just name him Ted, which is an adult name.

I went to school with a girl whose birth certificate was Kate, as a child she went by Katie and now she is Kate. Her parents never intended to call her Katherine so why bother?

Yes. Teddy is a baby name. It spells unattractive to me, although I love Edward.

Theodore is so American sounding to me, and wet.

You could officially name your child almost any name, Thomas, Theodore, Edmund, Thaddeus, Edward, Terence, Tobias, etc etc

and still call him Teddy as a baby/toddler.

The longer name gives him options when he’s older. We did the same with my son, he has a nickname and a longer ‘proper’ name that gives him flexibility.
Why wouldn’t you support broadening your child’s choices rather than narrowing them?
And Congrats on Teddy!

Someone said by the time all today’s little Alfie/ Charlie / Lizzies are adults, the names won’t seem babyish any more as the new trend is for shortening rather than formal names. But even if that’s true, I think Teddy is an exception. It’s the same word as for a child’s stuffed toy, so it is inherently babyish. I too would choose a more formal name in this context.

Do kids still call a teddy bear a 🧸 Teddy nowadays?

What else would they call them Winter?

Definitely needs a ‘proper’ name. Edward and Theodore are both nice.

We went for Edward - gives him a good range of nicknames for the future. And is a good 'stern voice' name too!

Before I would have said Edward, but I have seen the difficulties this can cause to peoples identity when they continually have to battle to say ‘Teddy’ isn’t a nickname, it’s their name, because officially it’s not, but to them it IS.

If he’s officially Edward it’ll be everywhere important and Teddy will become his nickname. Is that what you want? Or do you actually want him to ‘be’ Teddy?

If you officially name him Teddy he can be Ted as an adult if he wants to be. By the time this generation grow up no one will bat an eyelid at Teddy or Ted being his ‘proper’ name.

I have a Teddy, he's a Theodore. Bit different though as we never meant for him to be Teddy, we had thought he'd be known as Theo... he just ended up getting called Teddy as he was so cute and cuddly.

He likes his name at the moment (he's 10) but I am glad he has the options of Theo or Theodore or Ted for when he's older.

Yes.

Do kids still call a teddy bear a Teddy nowadays?

Yes, they do.

Why on earth would an employer not give a job to someone named Teddy?! Why do people have to try and scare others into thinking that names like this would be seen as unusual in a workplace? I’ve worked in the City for a long time. Companies are global, you speak to people from around the world, not everyone is called Oliver or Henry.

My daughter has a cute name with a serious option on her birth certificate. You don't know what they're going to turn out like as an adult and the problem with a "fun" name is you only have one option even if it's not you, Teddy is lovely but I think he'll be glad of choices. I prefer them to have an everyday name and a 'barrister' option if the other name is too fun.

Teddy is a lovely name but I understand what you mean.
I have an Ollie, but on his birth certificate he's Oliver.
I wanted everyone to call him Ollie but the strong headed, annoying "I'm calling him by his birth certificate" call him Oliver.
I know a Ted, and call him Teddy for a nickname.
Either way, really cute name 💙

I've only ever used the 'nickname' version of my name and to be honest my full name is just a burden. Name him his name!! Register him as Teddy if that's what he'll always be called because that's his name!

I absolutely hated the 'full name telling off stern voice' element to my name so legally ditched it as soon as I was old enough.