Teddy for a girl, is it really that controversial??

[lucie8881]

Now I'm not overly swayed by others opinions because when it comes to names as we all have our preferences. Whether you love or loathe a name depends a lot on your own personal experiences, thoughts and feelings. I've always gone along with if you're happy with your choice and it's not offensive pretty much all's good.

I'm pregnant with a little girl due in June, myself and DH have been pondering names and on our shortlist is the name Teddy. We'll pick a middle name as well but haven't really given much consideration to that as yet. I was speaking with my DM and she asked me about names, I mentioned a few before getting to Teddy, at which point she was horrified!
Not just "I'm not keen" but more along the lines of "you can't name a baby that, it's not a proper name" and we're being cruel and opening up the child to being bullied at school. The conversation ended with DM saying if we used the name she wouldn't be using it, she would use the baby's middle name or something else more appropriate. I responded with its best we don't discuss names any further and leave it at that.

Sorry about the ramble, but I'm not sure whether I'm missing something?? I get that it may be not to everyone's taste but is it really that offensive?

It's made me question my judgement a little so just wondering what others opinions are?

I’d be putting the choice down to hormones

It's not controversial, it's naff and silly.

Would it be short for anything? If not and she decides she doesn't want to go by Teddy as an adult but doesn't like Ted as being too masculine what could she go by! It doesn't give many options.

Sorry about the ramble, but I'm not sure whether I'm missing something??

Is it that you are having a baby not a kitten 🤷🏻‍♀️

I'm sorry but please be realistic. Teddy is not an appropriate name for a person.

It's not offensive at all, but it's usually a nickname and short for a more formal name, like Theodora (there are probably others). It would give her more scope for the future if you used it as a shortened version of a longer name, I do wonder if she will always want to be known as "Teddy" although Ted for a girl I also really like.

My DD has a shortened name, similar to Teddy which almost everyone uses, but now she is an adult is using her formal name more, so she certainly appreciates the flexibility.

However it is the choice of you and your DH alone - if you love it, go for it. It is certainly not offensive in any way.

Each to their own, as they say. If you like it go for it. It really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.

I’m glad you’re questioning your judgement here because...that seems like a pretty cruel name choice! Could you have that as a middle name instead?

How about Theodora with Teddi as a nickname?

It’s a boy’s name.

I know it as a nickname for Theodora. I wouldn't call a child Teddy but let them have the choice when older whether to use it as a nickname.

I'm not seeing it as particularly cruel? But looking at the replies it would seem I'm in the minority

For god's sake don't spell it with an 'i' as suggested upthread.

Teddy could be short for Edwina or Theodora. I think it's fine as long as there's a full name to back it up.

Imagine a woman in her 30s or whatever trying to get a job and her name's "Teddy". People do judge, let alone children. Pets and toys are called "Teddy". Don't lumber the poor kid with a name like that.

It's a cute nick name but for me it doesn't pass the 'if they grow up to be a Doctor or high court judge test'

Theodora or similar as a full name would be fine and then you can go crazy on the nicknames.

Teddy is a nickname for Theodora. It’s not just a boys name

Perfectly fine.

It’s cruel because it is very babyish, and it could be embarrassing for your daughter when she’s a teenager and an adult. She could also be teased and bullied. If you want her to have a good start in life, then it would be kinder to give her a name that will be appropriate for all stages of her life.

Please don't call her that. If you insist, at least have edwina or theadora as her full name so she has options when she's older.

@lucie8881 of course it’s not cruel. It’s a perfectly nice name and I actually like it for a girl or boy.

I don’t want everyone to pile on me here but as a whole on Mumsnet we do tend to be a bit behind the curve and maybe many of us are in the older mum age bracket so have more conservative tastes.

Until very recently names like Albert and Rupert were laughing stocks on here now both names top 100 or very close. Names like Albie and Sonny are really high up the charts (both top 100) but are described as joke names on here even today.

Teddy is cool I think.

Or even Theodosia (starts singing)

Agree with the majority. If you must, use it as a nickname and give her one of the longer, actual human names that can be shortened to Teddy... poor kid.

There’s literally hundreds of baby Sonny’s now. But if you read a thread on here everyone seems to act as if the name is unheard of and only used as a nickname.
I do worry a bit that people are put off using perfectly fine names because of the MN reaction when most of us are aged over 35 and a little out of touch. Please please don’t pile on me everyone. I’m just offering OP another point of view but I do respect everyone else’s right to do so too

It's not even a boy's name! It's a nickname.

I think it's a lovely nickname op. Why don't you trial the name on yourself for a week.

Well, I call my kids 'Bear' all the time, but they have actual human names too. If you're desperate to use it, please give her a proper name she can use if she wants to.

Baby needs a 'proper' name. Teddy as a nn is fine but it would be cruel not to give your DD an option.