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?

She might want a proper name when she is an adult.

I don't think its a name for either a boy or a girl. Its a name for a stuffed toy.

If you must use it as a nickname but give her a real name too.

I actually think it's fine! I would love to meet a little Teddy and I work with international students and have heard lots of different names. Makes a change from Sophie (although I like that too).

No issues with it myself, I don't know why people care? I also know rising star academics called Kylie, which everyone swore blind would mean you could never be anything. This is just not true.

I don't like Priti Patel, but being called Priti (which wouldn't pass the MN name test) hasn't held her back.

I like it
Official name: Theodora
Nickname: Teddy.

Nice and leaves her the option to use her “official name” as an adult if she wants to.

Theadora nn Teddy

It can be short for Theodora for a girl or Edward and Theodore for a boy. It’s not a name in its own right.

There’s a female Teddy in my daughter’s class, also an abbreviation of something (can’t remember what it is) but she can revert back when older. Is fine in young child, but much better as NN than official name.

I'm suprised so many people are anti Teddy for a girl, it seems perfectly accepted for a boy If you like it, go for it!

It's a boys name short for Theodore

It's not offensive, but it is a NN over & above an actual name & not one that would suit the high powered female she may grow up to be. The naffness comes with Robbie Williams naming his DD Teddy. Go with it by all means, but give her a choice with the full version of Theodora or Edwina & shorten your Teddy as you please

Go for it OP.

Though I would have Theodora as name and call them Teddy.

I quite like it. Doesn't Robbie Williams have a daughter called Teddy?

Teddy is lovely, people will assume it's a nickname for Theodora even if it isn't, so it's fine to name a girl that. More worrying is the idea your mum would call your daughter a different name just because she doesn't like your choice!

My rule of thumb is don't discuss names while pregnant; people will be rude. Announcing a baby: people will be delighted.

I quite like it. Doesn't Robbie Williams have a daughter called Teddy?

Yes, she's called Theodora.

Are the posters also thinking it's not ok for a boy, because it's a pretty popular boys name!

I know an adult female Teddy, it's short for Theodora

It's a cute nickname but I think it's nice to give her a proper name. It's fine to say older mothers/Mumsnet posters are snobby but in the future they might have your daughter's CV on their desk and ignore it because they have preconceptions about her. You can't change the world she lives in, so don't limit her chances. If you don't like Theodora or Edwina then maybe Edie or something else- find a naming book and something close enough that you like.
Teddy is going to be very popular amongst boys in her class at school- it's pretty much 2020's new Alfie or Noah- so also check you don't mind that people seeing her name on a list will often tick the box for male if they haven't seen her. That could become a pain. But up to you.

I don't know any male Teddy's. I know a few Ted's including my uncle (it's a nickname).

I know several Edwards with the nickname Ted. I wouldn't call a boy Teddy either, it would be Edward.

I think it’s fine if a nn. I’m always wary of very cutesy baby type names though as they grow up quick! A friend of a friend has a DD ‘Bow Bunny’ which was bad enough a a baby but as a child + is just awful imo!

I really wouldn't. I've reluctantly accepted Teddy for a boy is now pretty mainstream, and those Teddys have the option of Ted which sounds like a man's name.
Theodora nicknamed Teddy, now that is a cool name!
She can be Theadora, Thea or Teddy.

Teddy is cute for a baby girl. Short for Theodora or Edwina. I know 2 toddler girl Teddies.

But for a grown woman or, worse, man?! Would any teen really want to be called Teddy 🧸 ?!

Are the posters also thinking it's not ok for a boy?

Not for a boy above age 5! Would a teenager really want to introduce himself as a Teddy 🧸 ?!!

One of the Beverley Sisters ( 60s singing trio) was called Teddie.

One of the Beverley Sisters ( 60s singing trio) was called Teddie.

And her real name was Hazel.

Why not Theodora which is a lovely name, and Teddy as a nickname?

I see Teddy as a boys’ name. I know it’s used as a nickname for both boys’ and girls’ names but Teddy as a stand alone name is much more popular as a boys’ name.

names.darkgreener.com/#teddy

There are going to be a lot of teenaged boys called Teddy from the baby name stats. I would put something else on the certificate but lots of people like it as is.