Ted

Pronunciation: [ t-EHD ]

Boy Name #2,917 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

A punchy one-syllable classic with timeless ease

English American Australian

Classic Strong Vintage Bold

Meaning & Origin

"gift of God"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"wealthy guardian"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Ted Bundy — serial killer (1970s-1989), association has faded

The Story of Ted

Ted is a diminutive of Theodore (from Greek Theodoros, meaning gift of God) and Edward (Old English for wealthy guardian). It emerged as a standalone given name in the 20th century, particularly popular in the mid-1900s. The name carries a warm, approachable feel that distinguished it from its more formal parents.

Ted peaked in the 1950s and 60s in the US and UK, tied to figures like Ted Williams and President Theodore Roosevelt. It declined after the Ted Bundy crimes but the Ted Lasso TV series revived positive associations.

In American culture, Ted carries quintessentially mid-century masculine energy. It was a name of sportsmen, politicians, and everyday heroes from Senator Ted Kennedy to baseball legend Ted Williams.

Fun Facts

Ted Roosevelt was actually named Theodore and the nickname was used by family from childhood
Ted Lasso revived positive associations with the name in the 2020s
Ted is one of the few one-syllable names historically used as a standalone given name

Ted in Other Languages

French Theodore

German Theodor

Italian Teodoro

Russian Fyodor

Spanish Teodoro

Famous People Named Ted

Ted Kennedy

Politician

1932

US Senator from Massachusetts for 47 years, known as the Lion of the Senate

Ted Williams

Athlete

1918

Baseball Hall of Famer, regarded as one of the greatest hitters in MLB history

Ted Lasso Fictional

Other

Fictional optimistic American football coach in the Apple TV+ series

Ted Mosby Fictional

Other

Protagonist architect in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #2,917
Total SSA Count: 43
Cultural Origins: English American Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Teddy #898

Common Nicknames

Teddy

Pairs Well With

Ted James Ted William Ted Alexander Ted Charles Ted Henry Ted Michael Ted Robert

Sibling Names

Fred Jack Oliver Anna Lucy Clara George

Also a Girl Name

Ted is also used as a girl name, ranked #38605.

View Ted as a girl name →

Similar Names

Fred Alfred Eddy Jed Ved

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ted

What does the name Ted mean?

"gift of God" (from Greek). "wealthy guardian" (from Old English). Ted is a diminutive of Theodore (from Greek Theodoros, meaning gift of God) and Edward (Old English for wealthy guardian). It emerged as a standalone given name in the 20th century, particularly popular in the mid-1900s. The name carries a warm, approachable feel that distinguished it from its more formal parents.

What is the origin of the name Ted?

Ted has Greek, Old English, English, American, and Australian origins. In Greek, it means "gift of God". In Old English, it means "wealthy guardian".

Is Ted a boy or girl name?

Ted is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2917. As a girl name, it is ranked #38605. Ted is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Ted?

Ted is pronounced t-EHD.

How popular is the name Ted?

Ted is currently ranked #2917 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Ted?

Common nicknames for Ted include Teddy.

What are good middle names for Ted?

Popular middle name pairings include Ted James, Ted William, Ted Alexander, Ted Charles, Ted Henry, Ted Michael, and Ted Robert.

What are good sibling names for Ted?

Names that pair well with Ted as siblings include Fred, Jack, Oliver, Anna, Lucy, Clara, and George.

How many syllables does Ted have?

Ted has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Ted a common or rare name?

Ted is an uncommon name, ranked #2917 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Ted

Ted is a boy name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "gift of God" in Greek .

Is Ted a boy or girl name? Ted is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,917 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,605. Ted is more commonly used as a boy name.

Ted is currently ranked #2,917 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Ted has 1 syllable and is pronounced t-EHD, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Ted include Teddy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Ted include Teddy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Ted