Teddy Oliver or Edward Oliver

[Gilmoregirl21]

Hi everyone,

I have a beautiful little baby boy, now 10 months old. I have been questioning our decision on his 'official' name pretty much since we registered him. We only have until 12 months to change easily, so time is running out. He is registered as Teddy Oliver. The other alternative was Edward Oliver and we would still shorten to Teddy at home, but officially he would be Edward. Thoughts please! I keep changing my mind. He is very much a Teddy, cheeky and full of energy. I do appreciate that it doesn't age as well as Edward. There are lots of ways to look at it
Popularity wise, on official lists Teddy is more popular than Edward. Thanks for voting and advice!

Edward and then he can choose his preferred version as he gets older. Edward, Ed, Teddy, Eddie. Whereas Teddy is Teddy, or Ted I guess. Teddy I would think of as cute at 4 and a little odd if I was introduced to a taller than me big 16 year old!

Teddy is a bit of a silly name for a grown man. It's not awful but I would change it to Edward so that he has options when he's older.

Fwiw I have an adult relative who was christened Tommy. He mentioned to me once that even he can't understand why his parents didn't pick Thomas for his birth certificate.

Edward, and then he has the choice on how to be known as he grows up.

Teddy and a multitude of other -ie/-y nicknames are in the top hundred for boys and girls and so I think they’ll age just fine because there will be so many of them so I really wouldn’t worry about that.

As others have said, Edward and then he has options. Edwards can still be Teddy or anything else if they want to be - think of Ted Heath! But it could be a bit embarrassing as a self-conscious teenager or young adult to have to introduce yourself to others as Teddy.

Would you think it was a little unusual if a police officer introduced himself as PC Teddy Smith, or your new GP said he was Dr Teddy? Compared with PC Edward Smith or Dr Eddie.

Didn’t do Ted Heath any harm…

His birth certificate name was Edward though.

Yes, but his given name was Edward. I think the option of Edward is better if it can be easily changed. People will assume he is Edward anyway. I know because my parents gave me a shortened name and I have spent my entire life correcting people who assume my name is the longer version.

A 50 year old Teddy would sound a bit silly. Change to Edward if you can then still call him Teddy at home and school.

Every young Teddy ive known was Ted by age 8 or 9

Edward

Teddy is a dog's name. Or a toy.

Didn't really cause Tony Blair or Bill Clinton any issues using a shortened name, we’ve never known them as Anthony or William. I think nowadays there’s so many called Alfie, Archie, Billy, Ellie etc that it doesn’t raise an eyebrow at all!

He wasn't Teddy.

What about Theo/ Theodore if not keen on Edward

Politicians often use the diminutive to look more friendly.

Yes and it’s not an issue! I’m probably biased because I hate the name Edward lol. I’d choose Theodore like a previous poster said if you want a formal name.

Theodore is awful. Edward is so much better.

We have a Theo in the family so would be trickier. I much prefer Edward (just my preference) It was on the list for my first, but at the time my husband didn't like it!

Edward.
Obviously his name is your choice to make, but Edward gives him a few more choices when older, best of both worlds.

His name is Teddy, @Gilmoregirl21 . You can get the name officially changed, so if you want to, do so.
You'll still be calling him Teddy so is there any point?

Teddy (Baby name explorer)
Edward

How would you feel if Teddy Edward decided as a teenager or adult that he preferred to be called Ed, Eddie or Woody?

Dogs have lots of names. My cats are Will and Ollie (rescued, I didn't name!) Teddy has been on the top 30 names list in the UK for a few years, so it's not just me. Thanks for the comment.

Thank you 😊 I think that's where my hesitation has been. I wouldn't want Ed/Eddie over Teddy/Ted. I'd be happy with Edward/Teddy/Ted. Why is naming so hard!! My first choice was Sebastian but my husband squashed that one! 🤣 Had my girl name already picked too!

My Dad was Edward Oliver, but always known as Teddy in the family until he died at 73.

Thank you, I think that's why I've been hesitant. I wouldn't want to change after he's one. It becomes a lot harder and he'll have had the name for longer so it would make me sad.
I would be fine with Woody. Not keen on Ed/Ed. Names are always shortened. My other little boy is Tobias. I thought he'd get Toby with friends, but no it's Tobs 🤣🤣 Never thought of that!

I have an Edward so would definitely go for that!

He was Teddy when he was small, then Ted but now much prefers Edward so I would definitely give him the options