Teddy

♀ Girl

Teddy Pronunciation

Teddy is pronounced TED-ee /ˈtɛd.i/High

Meaning: Pet form of Theodora — Greek 'gift of God' — worn standalone by girls in the vintage-nickname revivalHigh

In 30 seconds: A divine gift you can hug: Teddy pets Theodora — 'gift of God' — and arrives pre-equipped with the bear. The tomboy-nickname revival put it back on girls' birth certificates.

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Origin HighEnglish, Greek

MeaningPet form of Theodora — Greek 'gift of God' — worn standalone by girls in the vintage-nickname revival

U.S. rank (2024)#3494 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births45 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,719

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Teddy abbreviates Theodora and Theodore — Greek theos + doron, 'gift of God' — and for girls it rode the Edwardian nickname wave and again today's Frankie-Billie revival; celebrity daughters named Teddy have multiplied through the 2010s. The bear keeps it forever soft.

As a girl's standalone it remains rare but climbing in style influence. Theodora waits formally behind it for graduation days.

Did you know? The teddy bear itself is a name story — toymakers christened it for Theodore Roosevelt after he spared a bear on a 1902 hunt, and the cuddle has carried his nickname since.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Teddy — pet form background

Variations

TeddieTheodoraThea

Nicknames

Ted

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Teddy…

Frankie— the flagship revived tomboy nickname

Billie— a fellow menswear name girls reclaimed

Stevie— the companion -ie crossover of the same wave

Theodora— the formal 'gift of God' behind the cuddle

→ See all names like Teddy

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Teddy?

Teddy is pronounced TED-ee (/ˈtɛd.i/). Press play above to hear Teddy said aloud.

How do you say Teddy?

Teddy is said TED-ee (/ˈtɛd.i/). Press play above to hear Teddy said aloud.

What does the name Teddy mean?

Teddy is a pet form of Theodora, Greek for 'gift of God'.

Is Teddy a boy or girl name?

Teddy serves both sexes; this page covers its growing use as a girl's name.

How popular is Teddy?

Teddy is rare as a girls' legal name in the U.S. and rising in style influence.