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?

My youngest is Edward but goes by Ted most of the time.

We chose Edward so that he has a more traditional name to fall back on if he decides Ted is too babyish..

I think I would go with a formal name on the BC but I can't quite decide which. Edward is more versatile (I can think of at least 5 short forms plus Edward itself), but Theodore gets around the problem of people not realising what his real initial is (I've always been called by a short form of my name that doesn't begin with the same letter as the long version, and I've had a few problems with cheques over the years!) I think you'll just have to go with the one you like best (including Teddy).

My Uncle was Thomas Edmund - known as Ted. I think that's lovely - and more unexpected than Edward (if you wanted more alternatives.)

Funny I just met a young man who has a name very similar to Teddy - i.e. a nickname of a “proper” name ending in a y sound. He is training to be a barrister. So I suspect the prejudice against nicknames is going to change with the generations.

**How does Edward shorten to Teddy?confused

All the Edwards I know sometimes shorten to Ed ir Eddie.**

^This. Also Teddy is cute until they are about 2 or 3. After that is sounds ridiculous

Yes. Teddy is very childish and would only suit a small child. I think it would sound quite silly on a teenager/man.

I definitely think Edward, or even Theodore would be a lot better in the long run.

Please go formal on the birth certificate.
A family member called her boy Teddy after a grandad.
We all judged and some family members were upset that his name hadn't been honoured properly.

How does Edward shorten to Teddy?confused

In the same way as Robert becomes Bobby, William becomes Billy, Richard becomes Dickie, Helen becomes Nellie, etc.

I would name him Theodore