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 know an Edward, always called Teddy or Ted. I agree with a lot of the posters, Teddy is OK as a nickname but I would put a 'proper' name on the BC, Theodora or Edwina maybe, then Teddy for a girl isn't quite so ridiculous and you won't get the negative reaction as you have on here. I'm sure even your Mum couldn't object if your DD's given name was Theodora, (not that it's up to her, I know).

One of the Beverley Sisters was called Teddie, but apparently christened Hazel. I think it's fine as a nickname but not too keen on it as a 'real' name.

I love it

I think it’s very sweet as a nickname. I know a few teenage boy and old bloke Teddies in real life.

Honestly, just don’t discuss your choices with your mum.

I think it’s fine as a NN but I’d definitely give the child a full proper name on the birth certificate.

I think it has a kind of 30s, Evelyn Waugh feel - is there a female character in one of his books called Teddy?

Grow up.

my son has a lovely dog called Teddy

Yes @thursdaylastweek I get that Evelyn Waugh vibe too. The Theodora / Teddy I know is a little bit like a modern day Waugh character.

Thanks @BobbyBlueCat for your well thought out, constructive input

Could you go with Theodora, Dorothea, Edwina or perhaps even Teresa?

Teddy as a standalone name doesn't appeal to me but every one I have ever come across is male, and you wouldn't call a boy Gracie.

I like it as a nickname but I think a child needs options!

Call her Theodora. Lovely name

Well I don't think it's offensive or anything, but it's a nickname and a boy's one at that. If I was your mother I would be urging you to reconsider too.

It's not just about "your own personal experiences, thoughts and feelings", it's about your child and a name they will have to live with their entire life.

I like it as a nickname for Theodora. Not keen on it as a name in its own right.

It’s awful, sorry.

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

I'll be sure to pass that piece of information on to my Uncle Teddy.

I came on to day Teddie (Hazel) from the Beverly sisters. No I’m not that old but my parents were children during the war. I thought it was cute.

The child would be bullied...

Are you thinking "Bear" as a middle name?

Seriously OP.... Dont do this to your poor baby

I worked with a Teddy Bearen once. I really wanted him to be cuddly and cute but he wasn’t. He was a bit gruff though.

Or if you don’t end up going with Teddy, you could call her Lego, or Brio, or Bratz, or Shopkins. All beautiful names for a little girl. “Shopkins Smith” in particular has a very elegant ring to it.

I love it. For a girl or a boy.

I didn't think it was that out-there or unusual

It’s not. It’s just a bit of a crap name for a child.

I would personally hate to be called that and am so glad my parents gave me an old classic traditional name.

Sorry, I don’t like it at all.

Fine as a nickname, fine as a boys’ name (although I personally think it’s too cutesy for a full name even then), but it’s literally the name of a baby’s stuffed toy. Far too twee and babyish, especially for a girl, who will already have to work harder than a boy to “prove herself” in life. This kind of babified name just seems to play to the idea that girls should be small, sweet, cute, adorable, etc. etc.

Theodora, on the other hand, is an excellent strong, feminine name! I’d have no qualms about that with Teddy for short. But as a full name? No no no.

There's a Teddy at my sons nursery - full name Theodora and I think it's really sweet and quirky. I'm clearly in the minority!