The name Teddy ?

[August21yellowbaby]

I have a little boy named Albie and die another baby boy in April! 💙

I love the name Teddy, but I'm not sure if on the birth certificate I should use a "proper" name incase he doesn't like using Teddy at school or work...?

I mean, I know quite a few teddy's nowadays so hoping it's not seen as "unusual" anymore

@MrsAvocet ,Mr Rooseveldt was known as Teddy in the same way as Edward heath was known as Ted, or Margaret Thatcher as Maggie.

I’m not being naive at all - tell me why you think Teddy is not a ‘proper’ name, yet Edward is? Why on earth would you put Edward on a piece of paper if you plan to call him Teddy anyway? It’s absolutely absurd, and just another way to soothe ridiculously small minded people.

The same way in which a parent agonises over every single choice they make for their child, for the rest of their lives?

Why is Teddy a childish name? Because it’s associated with a bear? You could make a connotation of every single name, including surnames, if you wanted to - should we not call children Richard incase they get called Dick?

No matter what someone will always have something to say about something, whether it’s a name, an appearance, a lifestyle choice - it’s up to US to not be so pathetic and small minded to judge by it.

My parents recently went to a friend's 100th birthday. He's been known all his life as 'Pip' and I assumed his name was Philip but it's 'Albert'!

@lilyandrosa

You've just made my point but I will elaborate further

I’m not being naive at all well you are if you think that some people wont be judgemental/amused etc at an adult in a professional role with a baby name.

Tell me why you think Teddy is not a ‘proper’ name, yet Edward is? one is the name of a stuffed animal or a baby, toddler nickname and the other is a classic that has stood the test of time.

Why on earth would you put Edward on a piece of paper if you plan to call him Teddy anyway? The "piece of paper" otherwise known as birth certificate is a legal document. Putting a grown up name like Edward on it means that the adult can chose whether to stick with the cutesy baby nickname or use the formal name Edward or switch to a more grown up nickname like Ted or Ed.

It’s absolutely absurd, and just another way to soothe ridiculously small minded people again this is just pointless raging. By all means feel that way but just remember Teddy will be a man one day and he might not want a cutesey baby name and he might be have to interact with these ridiculously small minded people.

Thank you for pointing out what a birth certificate was, after 4 children, i really wasn’t sure if it was a legal document or not.

I’ll be sure to let my son Teddy know that he won’t be getting very far in life because his name is ‘babyish’ and to not even bother and just claim benefits from the get go.

Ill also be sure to sign myself on to some sort
of anger management course as twice now you’ve mentioned this ‘rage’ i have 🤦‍♀️

@lilyandrosa

The anger management classics are probably a wise move.

Classes.

Autocorrect.

The funny thing is Teddy has been around for 100s of years. Posters just get set in their ways and quite blinkered.

Remember Teddy Bears themselves were only invented in what, the 40s?
The name Teddy came first, before the bear.

Tbh this is all pissing in the wind as all these Teddys will hit their stride in the next 25 years or so and it will just be the norm.

And people will say "what ? You think Teddy is cutesy ? Don't be daft. " You'll be really showing your era.

My grandfather didn't find it a handicap @LaurieStrode . Quite the opposite I'd say.
And it's never even crossed my son's mind that the name is inappropriate for him.

He's not long out of his teens but hes solidly remained Teddy. .I doubt many of the people around him realise he's an Edward. And he's not suddenly going to change now.

Even if he becomes a barrister. LOL.

The "piece of paper" otherwise known as birth certificate is a legal document. Putting a grown up name like Edward on it means that the adult can chose whether to stick with the cutesy baby nickname or use the formal name Edward or switch to a more grown up nickname like Ted or Ed.

Tbh times have changed. Calling yourself pretty much what you want is the least of it.

one is the name of a stuffed animal or a baby, toddler nickname and the other is a classic that has stood the test of time.

Obvs we all know that Teddy Bears are probably not even a hundred years old but Teddy is definitely a name that has stood the test of time.

well you are if you think that some people wont be judgemental/amused etc at an adult in a professional role with a baby name.

What complete plums? I'm pretty judgemental about them. Do people live under a rock these days ? There are professionals with wild names out there. 😄

I know an Edward that still goes by Teddy at 35 and he’s a twat. For that reason alone I do not like it 😂

@sunglassesonthetable Love this!!!

You might want to warn your Teddy though (as I have mine this evening) that unfortunately he’s not likely to make it very far with such a babyish, handicapped name 🤦‍♀️

Edward
Edison
Theodore
He can be Ted if he likes but has a formal name incase he hates it.
Most teddy's I know are dogs 🐕

Do them a favour and give him a proper name. They can then do as they choose. Teddy is a lovely nickname though.

My son is Ted and he hates his name. Which is a shame. So I do regret not calling him Theodore as I was considering. And then we would have used the nickname Ted. So I strongly advise you to choose Theodore for example and call him Teddy as a nickname all you like. He may love Teddy all his life! But it just gives him a chance when he’s older to be Theo for example instead.

None of whom have the name Teddy.

None of whom have the name Teddy.

Except they are called that by everyone on a daily basis, and known as that by all and sundry. And listed as that on wiki.'

Somewhere there is a box with a piece of paper and written on it is another name for them.

Yes, Teddy bears were in fact named after Teddy Roosevelt. That bloke who obviously didn’t get very far in life due to his name…oh, wait. (Yes I’m well aware he was named Theodore but literally everyone knew him as Teddy).

While I'm sure the name Teddy will not hold anyone back in life, I turned to Google to settle the Roosevelt question, and apparently he "loathed the nickname" and once called it "an outrageous impertinence"!

To be honest, "Theodore Roosevelt" does sound more dignified for a president than plain "Teddy Roosevelt". It's one factor in how a person is perceived - not the only factor or an overriding one, but still a factor.

I guess I think it's not so much that it holds you back, as that once you are there it's nice to have that option, even if only for formal use. Like having a smart coat to put on, befitting your position. I prefer that - but the Zuckerbergs and Steve Jobs-es of this world would wear casual clothes to anything, so ¯\(ツ)/¯

As for 'cute' names later in life, I know a hospital consultant with a first name which is also a term of endearment, similar to "Lovely." It does make conversations with her feel very odd!

You just need to ask yourself if it works for an adult, rugby player, solicitor, doctor,
If he's at school, teasing can be relentless
Personally I'd steer clear, call him a proper name and have your own nickname

I've always been of the opinion that a "proper" name is the best option as it gives a choice. My brother is different nicknames of his given name in different areas of life! My name couldn't be shortened or changed really and I sort of envy that extra little way he got to be expressive and decide who he is.

In your case I'd use Teddy at home but give the name Edward on the birth certificate so he could be Eddie, Ed, Ted etc if he chooses.

But that's my choice, I wouldn't judge Teddy as a given name even though I prefer Edward in its own right anyway

I have a Teddy, who is Edward on his birth certificate due to me wanting him to have a more serious name as an adult! I have never once called him Edward, he is known as Teddy at school and the doctors etc. If I could go back and change his birth certificate name to Teddy I would! I can’t see him ever wanting to call himself something else

@SRTR9718 , Maybe the fact that he could use something else might have something to do with it.

Edward, Edmund, Edmond.