Would yout Ted or Teddy on birth certificate?

[TheyCallMeLofty]

Not pg but ttc. Love Ted but not Edward so out of Ted and Teddy which one would you use on the birth certificate?

Who said the name would dictate the career choice?? The argument is that, should the child choose a career requiring projection of gravitas as seeker says, he or she may prefer to have the option of a more serious, formal name rather than only having the option of what most people would see as a nickname.

There was a time, not so long ago, that people were told to Anglicise names so as to be more acceptable for certain professions.

I find the idea that any name is unacceptable frankly weird! It is the person who commands the respect, regardless of their name. (Cupcake Brown is an attorney)

If Ted is your name, that is your name; not a nickname or a pet name, simply your name!

I like Ted. Short names are more usual now, many more people choose Alfie and Freddie than Alfred and Frederick, Zach than Zachary, Ben than Benjamin etc, so in 20 years most Drs and judges etc will have short names or even 'made up' names as their birth name. I know a baby Teddy (his full name) but prefer Ted really.

I don't get choosing the long version to be known by another. Kids often take the mickey at secondary school with long old fashioned names, there was a Theodore in my class who was mocked on his name. I have a long name, never use it. My DS has the short version of a name, don't have any trouble with it.

I don't think anyone is saying any name is 'unacceptable' either angrypixie. Some people would rather prefer to give their child the option of a formal name. Others don't think it's necessary or important. No one is saying either option is not valid or that any name is unacceptable.

Sorry, I didn't need rather and prefer in the same sentence there!

Ted (I know 2, they are both Ted's on their birth certificate)

I'm not a big fan of Teddy, but Ted is lovely.

I don't see what the big problem is with using shortened versions/nicknames, if it is that name that you like.

I would only ever use Edward, Edwin or Edmund on the certificate. It has the advantage that your DS then has lots of choice. Would a 60yr old want to be called Teddy?!

Yes Piscesmoon, I have a Great Uncle Teddy and he must love it because his real name is ..... George

I suspect Teddy Sheringham will always be Teddy, even when he's 80. And if a footbaler can pull off teddy, can't anyone?

I'm not being argumentive but I do find this very intresting

My whole point angrypixie-he has the choice!

But Ted isn't a nickname for George is it piscesmoon?

I'd put Theodore on the birth certificate

Exactly-he chose Ted from a sensible, proper name!
If you don't like Edward-flier has a good alternative.

I agree with flowerybeanbag. My DS is Edward but he wouldn't have a clue who we were talking to if we called him that. But i do like the name Edward in the first place but he gets called Teddy &Ted.

exactly then he can choose Ted teddy or theo

I like proper/formal names so never in a month of Sunday would call my son Ted or Teddy on their birth cert. but each to their own.

I don't understand why if I liked the name Ted for a boy, I would decide to call him a name I don't like (ie Theodore or Edmund).

Why not just call your child the name you like!

(Can I throw Teddy Roosevelt and Ted Hughes into the mix, as well respected Ted/dy's)

Piscesmoon, it doesn't illustrate your point.

His name is George, he is randomly called Teddy. Therefore call your child by the name you like eg Ted and then if they hate it they can make something up, like Great Uncle Teddy/George!

Please don't put a name you hate on the birth certificate. I'm with you HazeyJane.

(I'm also throwing Dr Seuss in as a famous grown up known as 'Ted')

Theycallme lofty Have met Teddy Sherringham several times and he adores being a Teddy!

It does illustrate my point-he can call himself anything he wants to, but for official things he has a formal name. If he was a top judge called Teddy he might find it embarrassing, but he would be able to have the professional name of George.
I am never known by my full name, but I like to use it on occasions and I like the choice it gives me.

Teddy Roosevelt's name was Theodore.
I'm pretty sure when they swore him into office they called him Theodore.

Ted

Teddy is a baby name and he won't be a baby forever.

Give him Ted or Theodore or Edward so he can sound like a grown up one day

Neither. I'd use Theodore or Edward on BC, and then use whichever suited the baby when he was a baby, the child when he is a child, and then call him whatever he chooses as an adult. Which almost certainly won't be Teddy, and may well not be Ted. Versatility is the thing.

I know lots of people who were called a baby version of their name when they were small children. Many of them have grown out of them, and use the more formal version as adults. It's only when you meet their parents that you realise they were once known as 'xx'ie. Of course some of them really liked the baby version and stuck with it right through, but it is nice to have a choice (for myself I never use my baby name outside my immediate family).