Can I have your honest opinions

[Helpmechoose321]

Have NC as including surname so could be outing.

We are having a boy in a few months and our favourite name is Theodore, to be shortened to Teddy. The problem is our surname. It’s Baird. So when you say Teddy Baird out loud, it sounds a bit like teddy bear.

So with that in mind should we steer clear of the name? We already have a DD who uses a shortened version of her name and the idea was that as she grew she could choose to continue to use the short version or change to the long, and the same with Theodore/Teddy - he could be known as Theo when he got a bit older.

Please be as honest as you like! Would also appreciate suggestions of other names that go with our surname.

Other names we like are

Rory
Flynn
Louie

Could you go with Theodore, but just use Teddy at home.

My brother has an unusual name, though not weird, and for some reason developed the nick name MooMar, or Moo. We used it regularly (and very occasionally do now, even at 17) at home, but it was never used anywhere else.

Don't use Teddy Baird! Theo is lovely.

I like quite a few on that list Fluffy!

@babycatcher411 that’s my thinking now too.

I definitely think you should use Theo from birth & maybe just call him Teddy at home if you want to.

I hadn’t realised how many names don’t go with Baird until I started to say them!

Exactly our problem @CoffeeRunner!

Atticus or Christopher with nn Kit
Alexander, Alec/Lex
Magnus or Fergus/Gus
Douglas
Henry/Hal
I do really like Theodore/Theo too and that works fine with surname.

Please don’t call the poor kid Teddy Baird, it would be really unfair. He would definitely be teased at school, and possibly worse.

What’s wrong with keeping Theodore, but shortening it to Theo?

Don't really get this whole thing of choosing a name for your child and then also dictating what nickname/shortened form they should use. Surely just pick a name you like for its own sake and let your child work out their own nickname(s) as they grow up 🤷🏼‍♀️

I don’t think it would work to call him one thing at home then another at school. Especially when little and then going to school with a new name after years of being Teddy at home.

Christopher/Kit goes really well with your surname. Also like Wilfred/Wilf.

@Helpmechoose321 glad you like a few from the list. I thought we might have similar ish taste as I also love Teddy and many of the other names you’ve suggested x

Dominic Baird sound fab! Could be Dom or Nicky.

I’d just go with Theo. As Theodore could easily become Teddy. Whereas Theo will only be Theo.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Certainly given us something to think about. Looks like the consensus is a definite no on Teddy. Bloody surname 😡

I think it's fine. I understand where your coming from but if your worried about the teasing don't schools use full title names on registers etc.? So in school he could just go by Theodore then teddy could be a family nickname 😄 hope this helps x

Teddy Baird is a no go for me.

Definitely NOT Teddy Baird!!!

I actually know somebody with the surname Baird and a son called Teddy.

Not to sound mean but I wondered what they were thinking.

I like Rory, Flynn and Louis. (Louie is dim of Louise).

I think Rory sounds best with Baird. Would you consider Ruairi/Ruaridh given your roots?

I know a Theodore called Teo and it fits wonderfully. Pronounced Tay-o.

Rory Baird is really nice. Or Harry?
I know an Adam Baird.

Lots of names go really well with Baird, lucky! (Just unlucky about teddy...)

Alas I think Teddy is out. I love the name Teddy so some of our other choices might help?

We had:
Angus
Arthur
Felix
Oscar
Kit
Alfred
Laurence so we could use Laurie
Fergus
Rupert

Teddy really doesn't work with Baird. And as you don't like Theo, I wouldn't call him Theodore.

I like Louie Baird.

Teddy Baird sounds like one of Noddy's mates! I think you will have to move on from loving Teddy. Once your little boy is here, he will become his name in your mind anyway.

Christopher baird nn kit

I’d avoid Teddy and use either Ted, Theo or simply the full name. Teddy Baird is pretty bad. Reminds me of Cheryl’s kid Bear Payne .