Ways to "Teddy"

Bear has suddenly lumbered onto the baby name landscape. Perhaps inspired by British adventurer Bear Grylls (born Edward Michael), first celebrity chef Jamie Oliver used it as the middle name for his boy Buddy, and Alicia Silverstone called her son Bear Blu, followed by Kate Winslet's Bear Blaize.

The sophisticated Edmund and its nearly-identical French twin Edmond are coming out of mothballs now that Edward, inspired by Twilight, is once again a hot name.

Unlike perennials William, John and James, Edward is a classic that moves in and out of fashion. This royal Anglo-Saxon standard has benefited in recent years from the popularity of the hot hero of the vampire sensation Twilight — Edward Cullen — who has given his name a new infusion of cool.

Some might be surprised to learn that Edwin has been a consistent presence on the popular names list since statistics have become available.

Edwina may still be taking tea in the parlor, but we can see her joining friends like Matilda and Josephine for a comeback, especially if pronounced like Edwin rather than Edween.

The Polish form of Edith.

Tade is a compact masculine name with diverse cultural roots. In Yoruba culture of Nigeria, Tade is a shortened form of names beginning with 'Olutade' or similar elements, often meaning 'crown' or 'royalty has arrived.' In Irish contexts, it may be related to the name Tadhg (pronounced similarly), meaning 'poet' or 'philosopher.' The name has also appeared in Scandinavian countries, possibly as a diminutive of names containing the element 'tad.' Despite its brevity, Tade carries significant cultural weight in its original contexts while offering a distinctive, easily pronounced option in Western settings. Not widely used in the United States, Tade appeals to parents seeking a multicultural name that works well globally. Its simplicity belies its rich heritage and meaningful associations with creativity, leadership, and wisdom.

Has a lot of energy and charm, as does the Italian form, Taddeo.

Tedman is a masculine name with Germanic roots, functioning primarily as a surname that has occasionally transitioned to first-name usage. It combines the element "Ted" (a diminutive of Edward or Theodore) with the suffix "man," following the pattern of names like Coleman or Holman. Edward derives from Old English meaning "wealthy guardian," while Theodore comes from Greek meaning "gift of God." As a first name, Tedman remains uncommon, offering a distinctive alternative to more popular Ted-derived names. It carries connotations of reliability and strength, with its straightforward, masculine sound. The name might appeal to parents seeking something traditional yet uncommon, with the friendly nickname Ted readily available.

You’re most likely to find this Theodore cognate in Eastern Europe, where it ranks among the top names for boys in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, and Romania. The nickname Teo is a real winner.

Teodora is an extremely attractive and international choice, with several equally attractive, user-friendly nicknames. Appealing short forms might include Tea, Dora, or Dory for English speakers, however, classic diminutives include the Spanish, Italian, Serbian and Portuguese Dora, the Bulgarian Todorka, and the Swedish Thea.

Thaddeus, a distinguished, long-neglected name, has several areas of appeal: a solid New Testament legacy, a nice antique feel, and the choice of several more modern nicknames and international variations.

Theda is most famous as the name of silent film vamp Theda Bara. Today most fashionable little Theodoras and Theodosias are called Thea, but Theda makes an intriguing change.

This is one of the least known or used of the Theo names, quite possibly because of its last syllable. In Samuel Butler's 1903 novel The Way of All Flesh, there is a clergyman character named Theobald Pontifex.

Theodora is one of the most revival-worthy of the charmingly old-fashioned Victorian valentine names, softly evocative but still substantial, as is the reversed-syllable Dorothea.

Classic and elegant but with boyish charm, Theodore has become hit name in recent years, vaulting into the US Top 10 in 2021 for the first time ever and into the Top 5 in 2024. A favorite in English speaking countries, it also ranks highly across the UK and Ireland, and in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Theodoric feels prehistoric, though with short form Theo one of the hottest names around, this old German names for boys may soon feel new again.

Theodoros is the traditional Greek form of Theodore, derived from the Greek elements 'theos' meaning 'god' and 'doron' meaning 'gift,' thus translating to 'gift of God.' This ancient name has been borne by numerous saints, scholars, and leaders throughout Greek history. The name maintains strong popularity in Greece and Cyprus, where it's often shortened to the nickname Theos or Teddy in everyday use. Theodoros carries a sense of dignity and classical heritage while remaining accessible. The name experienced a decline in global usage during the mid-20th century but has seen renewed interest amid the revival of traditional names. With its meaningful etymology and historical significance, Theodoros offers parents a name with depth, cultural resonance, and a harmonious sound.