Teddy

Pronunciation: [ t-EHD-ee ]

Boy Name #898 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

The name that gave the world its most beloved toy

American English British

Playful Classic Friendly Vintage Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"gift of God"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"wealthy guardian"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Teddy boy is a British subculture term from the 1950s referring to rockabilly youth culture, though this association has largely faded for modern parents

The Story of Teddy

Teddy is a diminutive of both Theodore (from Greek theos meaning God and doron meaning gift, so gift of God) and Edward (from Old English ead meaning wealth/fortune and weard meaning guardian, so wealthy guardian). The Teddy nickname became especially associated with President Theodore Roosevelt, leading directly to one of the most beloved cultural inventions: the teddy bear, named after him when he famously refused to shoot a bear cub on a 1902 hunting trip in Mississippi.

Teddy has seen a significant revival in the 2010s and 2020s as part of the charming vintage nickname trend, joining Archie, Bertie, and Frankie in a wave of old-fashioned short names embraced for their warmth and character. In the UK, Teddy has appeared in top-30 boy name lists in recent years.

The teddy bear, named after President Theodore Roosevelt, ensures this name has universal recognition as synonymous with comfort, childhood, and warmth. It is perhaps the only given name to have inspired a beloved children's toy. Winnie-the-Pooh's creator A.A. Milne further cemented the teddy bear tradition.

Fun Facts

The teddy bear was named after President Theodore Roosevelt after he refused to shoot a bear cub in 1902 — the story was published in a political cartoon
Teddy Roosevelt was the youngest person to become US President at age 42, after the assassination of William McKinley

Teddy in Other Languages

French Theodore/Edouard

German Theodor/Eduard

Italian Teodoro/Edoardo

Russian Федор (Fyodor)

Spanish Teodoro/Eduardo

Famous People Named Teddy

Theodore Roosevelt

Politician

1858

26th President of the United States, military leader, conservationist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and inspiration for the...

26th President of the United States, military leader, conservationist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and inspiration for the teddy bear

Teddy Roosevelt (Teddybear) Fictional

Other

The iconic stuffed bear toy named after Theodore Roosevelt after his famous 1902 refusal to shoot a bear cub

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #898
Total SSA Count: 262
Cultural Origins: American English British
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Ted

Pairs Well With

Teddy James Teddy William Teddy George Teddy Robert Teddy Charles Teddy John Teddy Blue

Sibling Names

Bertie Archie Charlie Freddie Maisie Rosie Violet

Also a Girl Name

Teddy is also used as a girl name, ranked #3453.

View Teddy as a girl name →

Similar Names

Eddie Fredrick Tony Bennie Freddie Billy Penny Eddy

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Teddy

What does the name Teddy mean?

"gift of God" (from Greek). "wealthy guardian" (from Old English). Teddy is a diminutive of both Theodore (from Greek theos meaning God and doron meaning gift, so gift of God) and Edward (from Old English ead meaning wealth/fortune and weard meaning guardian, so wealthy guardian). The Teddy nickname became especially associated with President Theodore Roosevelt, leading directly to one of the most beloved cultural inventions: the teddy bear, named after him when he famously refused to shoot a bear cub on a 1902 hunting trip in Mississippi.

What is the origin of the name Teddy?

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

Is Teddy a boy or girl name?

Teddy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #898. As a girl name, it is ranked #3453. Teddy is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Teddy?

Teddy is pronounced t-EHD-ee.

How popular is the name Teddy?

Teddy is currently ranked #898 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Teddy?

Common nicknames for Teddy include Ted.

What are good middle names for Teddy?

Popular middle name pairings include Teddy James, Teddy William, Teddy George, Teddy Robert, Teddy Charles, Teddy John, and Teddy Blue.

What are good sibling names for Teddy?

Names that pair well with Teddy as siblings include Bertie, Archie, Charlie, Freddie, Maisie, Rosie, and Violet.

How many syllables does Teddy have?

Teddy has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Teddy a common or rare name?

Teddy is moderately common, ranked #898 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Teddy

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

Is Teddy a boy or girl name? Teddy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #898 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,453. Teddy is more commonly used as a boy name.

Teddy is currently ranked #898 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Teddy has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-EHD-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

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