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Original poster

Can I get away with this name pairing?

28 replies

brothernames · 16/01/2023 06:07

DC2 is William, always always known as Will. Unborn DC3 is a boy- our favourite name by far is Edward, to be known as Ted.

I've realised the famous Bill and Ted pairing exists. Given that DC2 is never ever Bill, can I get away with this? Otherwise DC3 will have to be Ed instead which I quite like but would be a bit of a shame.

OP posts:
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PurBal · 16/01/2023 06:16

It’s fine, I don’t think it would ever come up. Is there any particular reason you’ve decided to choose a nn it prior to baby’s arrival? In my experience nn happen organically, so if
you like Ted, I’d just call him that. I love Edward.

Original poster
brothernames · 16/01/2023 06:18

Well we like the name Edward in itself, but prefer Ted- definitely want him to have the option to lengthen it to Edward again when he's older though- or of course he might want to pick a different diminutive which is fine too.

Same reason we went for William on the birth certificate and not Will.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 16/01/2023 06:20

sounds lovely to me

Twoinapod · 16/01/2023 06:29

It’s absolutely fine. I love Edward shortened to Ted, unfortunately there been a sudden influx of them round me over the last few years.

Purplemagnolias · 16/01/2023 08:01

our favourite name by far is Edward, to be known as Ted.

Surely the natural shortening of Edward is Ed. It's not Tedward Confused?!

SoupDragon · 16/01/2023 08:04

Purplemagnolias · 16/01/2023 08:01

our favourite name by far is Edward, to be known as Ted.

Surely the natural shortening of Edward is Ed. It's not Tedward Confused?!

Ted is an extremely common nickname for Edward.

Pinkyandtwerky · 16/01/2023 08:04

OP they are both lovely names and bill and Ted wouldnt have crossed my mind and it isn’t a popular film now anyway.

Ignore all the posters saying you can’t decide a nn- of course you can. And giving a longer more formal name so the child can choose to use it as an adult is perfectly normal and I think very sensible.

good luck with your new arrival!

SoupDragon · 16/01/2023 08:06

I think you can get away with Will & Ted. It's not that bad and you could just laugh it off if anyone comments. They are perfectly nice, ordinary names.

Purplemagnolias · 16/01/2023 08:19

Ted is an extremely common nickname for Edward.

Imagine trying to explain that to your child and why the shortening of his name starts with a different letter... personally I'd find Ed a much easier shortening

Whatwhatwhatnow · 16/01/2023 08:29

Purplemagnolias · 16/01/2023 08:19

Ted is an extremely common nickname for Edward.

Imagine trying to explain that to your child and why the shortening of his name starts with a different letter... personally I'd find Ed a much easier shortening

It's a short form that's been used for generations and no more complicated than shortening Elizabeth to Betsy, Margaret to Peggy or William to Bill. The child will be fine.

OP, no I don't think it is a problem.

SoupDragon · 16/01/2023 09:11

Purplemagnolias · 16/01/2023 08:19

Ted is an extremely common nickname for Edward.

Imagine trying to explain that to your child and why the shortening of his name starts with a different letter... personally I'd find Ed a much easier shortening

It's not hard for most people to grasp. Lots of children manage it.

it's a nickname.

Overthebow · 16/01/2023 09:16

I have absolutely no idea what the Will and Ted connection is. I think it’s fine.

stormelf · 16/01/2023 09:19

I think it's absolutely fine. I know siblings called William known as Bill and Benjamin known as Ben. It took me about two years to get the Bill and Ben connection

Liorae · 16/01/2023 09:23

Believe it or not, other people will see your children as individuals, not as a pair.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 16/01/2023 09:25

It’s fine and even if people make a connection it’s not like they’re the names of serial killers it’s just a fun film. Also I think it’s especially harder to notice as you have another child so people will be saying “John”, Will and Ted when listing them so even harder to see it.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 16/01/2023 09:26

It's fine. I'm was completely the target audience for bill and Ted, and it would cross my mind now, evening it did it would be a cause for comment.

Origin of some well established , common nicknanes

Thesonglastslonger · 16/01/2023 09:30

It’s fine OP. That film (which I adore!) is so very old now. You won’t often refer to them together anyway but if you do you could always say Ted and Will.

Ted is a lovely nickname.

BabyMoonPie · 16/01/2023 09:31

I think you're overthinking this! You want Will and Ted so why would people think of Bill and Ted? In the film Ted is Theodore not Edward so their full names are not the same

GreenManalishi · 16/01/2023 09:37

I think it's excellent

HappyJellyBaby · 16/01/2023 09:48

Friends of mine have William and Edward, nobody realises until they point it out.

Very classic names.

Original poster
brothernames · 16/01/2023 09:59

Thanks all- very reassuring! I've never actually seen the film myself but sounds like it doesn't have any connotations I need to worry about.

OP posts:
WomanStanleyWoman2 · 16/01/2023 10:01

Purplemagnolias · 16/01/2023 08:19

Ted is an extremely common nickname for Edward.

Imagine trying to explain that to your child and why the shortening of his name starts with a different letter... personally I'd find Ed a much easier shortening

Well plenty of parents must have managed over the years, given that Ted is an extremely common diminutive of Edward. I doubt OP’s child is going to be mentally scarred by the experience.

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 16/01/2023 10:02

Straight away I thought Bill and Ted but it's an old film!
It's not a bad thing!
He's going to be called Will anyways. Ted might want to be called Edward when he's older as well.
It's not like my husband's friends children Vinnie and Reggie who sound like criminals.

EyesOnThePies · 16/01/2023 10:02

Also, it isn’t as if you have just those two names, it will be Dc1, Will and Ted.

And to add further to PurpleMagnolia’s mental load, Ned is another great nickname for Edward.

Purplemagnolias · 16/01/2023 15:14

Ned is another great nickname for Edward.

Ned, Ted... I wonder what else - Bed, Fed Grin