"gift of God"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Teddy
Pronunciation: [ t-EHD-ee ]
Does Teddy flow with your last name?
The name that gave the world its most beloved toy
American
English
British
Playful
Classic
Friendly
Vintage
Gentle
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Meaning & Origin
"wealthy guardian"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Teddy first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 19,473 babies have been named Teddy in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Teddy is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #898 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#898
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Teddy
T
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
T
Teddy Roosevelt (Teddybear) Fictional
Other
The iconic stuffed bear toy named after Theodore Roosevelt after his famous 1902 refusal to shoot a bear cub
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Teddy
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Teddy is also used as a girl name, ranked #3453.
View Teddy as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis