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?

There's a female Teddy on Grey's Anatomy...and she's a heart surgeon

It's not offensive at all, but it's usually a nickname and short for a more formal name, like Theodora

There would be nothing wrong with using it as your everyday day nn but I would give them a formal name that they could use if they wanted to when older or in certain settings.

I really hate the name Teddy as either a boy or girl’s name. It’s just so so twee.
It’s fine when it’s short for something, I think a lot of us use cutesy names on our babies and toddlers, but as a stand-alone name it’s really bad.

There's a female Teddy on Grey's Anatomy...and she's a heart surgeon
And even she (a fictional character!) is actually Theodora!

Not controversial, but hilarious, I’d be dying to laugh if someone told me that was their kids name.
One of my kids have been given a way out there name so I’m not adverse to the unusual.
There’s plenty of bonkers but lovely names out there, chose one of them, no need to make this kid a laughing stock.

I considered Teddy for a girl when I was pregnant. I even posted about and got very harsh responses

I had a ds and didn’t use Teddy for him either.
I still like it and I’m 99% sure I’d of used it for a girl. I was going to use Theodora and use it as a nickname.
I think it’s lovely op and if you like it then go for it

Cookit yes, hence the

It’s one of my favourite names for a boy (had a great uncle Ted) but even then I would have used Edward or Theodore and had it as a nickname.
I wouldn’t like to be called it as a girl unless it was a nickname. It would feel undignified.

I know a Teddy short for Theodora. I think it's fine as a nickname but personally I would use something else for her "formal" name.

I love it

Theodora nn Teddy is I suppose quite sweet but she will become Dora in school for sure as Teddy is not great.

Hand on heart, would YOU want to be a woman called Teddy? Really?
Give the child a proper name. Call her what you like as a nickname.

I had a great aunt Teddy, so it doesn't seem that out there to me. However her real name was actually Edwina, and Teddy was just a nickname.

We do have other names on our list, it's just didn't anticipate such a strong negative reaction.

It would seem after speaking to DM and the vast majority of replies the worlds still not ready for an influx of female Teddy's

We know a Theodora, variously known as Teddy, Ted, Teds, Dora, Dolly and Dotty. I don't know anyone who has any issues with it at all, and if they do, so what?! She's got plenty of scope for what she wants to be known as, especially when she hits the teenage years and then the world of work. Personally, I love it.

Not Edwina or Teddi though.

I know a Teddy (a little boy). I didn’t think twice about it on learning his name but I haven’t heard it used for a girl, and that does feel like a slightly burdensome choice - surely she’d be constantly fielding “but that’s a boy’s name” comments, which would get really tedious for her? (or teddy-ous )

Calling her Edwina or Theodora and nicknaming her Teddy - not to my particular naming taste, but absolutely fine.

Teddy on her birth certificate - ridiculous.

If you really want to call her Teddy, I think you should name her Edwina (or whatever other full names there are that shorten to Teddy) it's cute for a little girl, but she might not thank you for it when she's all grown up

No to Teddy, but love Theodora.

It's bloody awful for a girl or a boy. I have no clue why it's currently popular.

Theodora with the diminutive Teddy is lovely.

I went to school with a female Eddie!

I know a Theadora nn Teddy.

I don't really get the outrage. It's not like you're calling her Adolf

It's cute as a nickname.

I don't like the older mums bashing upthread. Being older doesn't necessarily mean that we are not current, it can also mean that we have enough life experience to acknowledge that whilst it sounds cute, a child turns into a grown up and might want to have an "out" if they don't like their given name. So use it as a nickname or give the child a more ordinary or classic middle name.

@VoyageInTheDark that's what's thrown me. I totally understand everyone has different tastes, but this name does seem to provoke a pretty strong negative reaction.

I didn't think it was that out-there or unusual, but looks as though my judgements off!

As a stand-alone name it's just awful and I doubt she would thank you for it. As a nickname for theodora you could get away with it but I bet she grows out of it by secondary school. You're naming an adult remember, not a cute baby/toddler.