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 Teddy at my sons nursery - full name Theodora and I think it's really sweet and quirky. I'm clearly in the minority!
No, most are in agreement with you - it’s fine as a nickname for a proper full name.

I don’t like Teddy as a full name even for a boy. I get that his peers will be Alfie, Albie etc but Teddy just feels so babyish even with the influx of silly cutesy names

I really hate the idea of giving boys names to girls. Nicknames fine, there have always been unisex nicknames like Sam and Alex. But not having a boys name as the whole name (or vice versus).

Teddy as a nickname for Theodora etc isn’t my taste but is fine. Teddy on its own especially for a girl is awful

I honestly dont mind it, but I would use a longer name personally just in case for when shes older.

I mean I know someone with a child called Everest so I dont think Teddy is too out there in comparison!

"Are you thinking Bear as a middle name?"

I was thinking more along the lines of Ruxpin ...

Seriously, no, we would choose something more conventional as a middle name

My daughter is Theodora and so far (aged 5) has only ever been known as Teddy. We wanted a name with lots of options - Theodora, Teddy, Ted, Thea, Dora.

A Teddy is a type of sexy lingerie in the USA. Or a plush toy.

I would not name a child Teddy. Especially a girl.

Never mind the name.... I can't believe what your mum said . I would be seriously annoyed at that and making it clear here and now that I wouldn't be accepting my child being referred to by a different name.

This is why it's generally better not to discuss names before the baby is born though, as people feel free to give you their opinions in ways they wouldn't do once it's officially announced as the babies name.

Like most people on the thread I really like Theodora and think Teddy is fine as a shortening for it.

FWIW my dd has a “Sunday name” but we have called her by a shortening since she was born. On school enrolment forms I wrote her as “Elizabeth (Libby) Smith” and so she is always called Libby.

I remember one time saying “Come on Elizabeth - time to go home” when at a party and all the other mums being really surprised that that is her name.

I hope she will always be “Libby” but if she decides at 12 or 22 or 32 that she wants to be Elizabeth or Liz or Beth or Eliza then she can.

NB her name is not Elizabeth!

Robbie Williams has a daughter called Teddy Rose doesn't he?

Someone upthread mentioned Robbie, his daughter is Theodora but he refers to her as Teddy

I really like Theadora with the nickname of Teddy. Teddy as a standalone name, just makes me think of Edward or toy bear. Although I did go to school with a boy whose full name was Teddy, not short for anything, and as far as I remember it was never laughed at or commented on. I much prefer it used as a nickname for a related name though.

Why don’t you use the name Teddy yourself op? Hesitating? There’s your answer.

Sorry I only skim read must have missed it! I quite like it as NN for Theodora but then I would always use a full name and NN even if they ended up not having the NN as a result. I just don't like names that should be NN as their full name but that's just my option, most people I know just use the NN if they like that name.

Robbie Williams has a daughter called Teddy Rose doesn't he?

Her full name is Theodora.

It also isn’t a good idea to see the names of offspring of celebrities as names you should be copying. It is unlikely that Theodora Williams will ever go to a comprehensive school or need to get an ordinary job. Therefore celebrities can call their kids “Banana” or whatever.

Don't call the child Edwina. I don't like Teddy as a name for either a boy or girl, but Edwina? Are people seriously suggesting that Edwina is a more pleasant name than Teddy? Seriously? Or is this just the MN aversion to name abbreviations as a given name?

I quite like the name Teddy for a girl but I'd possibly want to pick a name that can be shortened as such to Teddy. Maybe Theodora or something like that? Our daughter uses a shortened version of her name (although she (at 3) picks and chooses what she prefers day by day)

Agree if you love it, I'd choose Theodora and call her Teddy when she's small. My test is always whether I can picture someone in a very responsible job (like a judge!) with the name and with Teddy I just can't! It is cute though :)

I think Teddy is delightful as a nickname but a bit odd for the full name. Consider Theodora, Edwina, or even Edith. If one of these is the formal name I think it would work fine to use Teddy in most situations if you want to.

Are people seriously suggesting that Edwina is a more pleasant name than Teddy?

I don’t know, I don’t mind it.. I knew an Edwina. She was Eddie to most people which obviously seemed incredibly cool. Then on getting a really serious job she was Edwina in the workplace, so she’s known professionally as Edwina Smith and it sounds very lofty but then even colleagues who know her well enough call her Eddie to her face. I feel like an Edwina Smith will be far less forgettable than say a Sarah Smith.

Theodora could be equally cool. I don’t like the full name really but it’s almost an Elizabeth in terms of names it could be shortened to- Teddy whilst a cute baby or toddler.. later perhaps Dora or Thea, and Thea is lovely. I’d have the full Theodora Surname on the name plate on my office though.

I really like Edwina. It’s much nicer than Teddy.

OP imagine a 45 year old introducing herself as Teddy.

It’s a sweet nickname but it’s not a proper name.

When I hear the name Ted/Teddy it makes me think of Ted Bundy 😮

But maybe that's down to what I've been reading recently 🤷‍♀️

It’s horrid, don’t subject your DD to that.

I suppose in an attempt to add some justification to why I don't see it as a problematic name I'll add in that we live in an urban, diverse area. The schools are large and populated with children from many different backgrounds and cultures. The thought of a child being bullied solely on their name has never been a major concern.

I work in a large district general hospital for the NHS, again a very diverse field where names don't influence your prospects. Our job application system is one where applications are anonymised prior to being sent to whichever panel are shortlisting. So, again I didn't really take that into consideration.

I've never really experienced the corporate world and (perhaps naively) didn't realise potential employers would be influenced by a candidates first name.

Reading the responses I am a little disheartened to see how many posters still judge people on quite a superficial level, but it appears that's the world we live in.

I had the name on a par with the likes of Charlie, Billie or Bobby.

All I hope is that as little Teddy grows older, she has enough support from her parents and siblings to become a confident and resilient young woman

It is the same as Charlie, Billy and Bobby. The same issue exists with those names - fine for a child or a chosen nickname. Teddy has an extra problem because it is a children’s toy, as well as an item of underwear.