Teddy

Teddy meaning

Teddy is an international boy's name of English pet form origin (of Old English and Greek names).

Pet form of Edward ("prosperity-guard") or Theodore ("gift of God")

Also used to mean: wealthy guardian

Teddy is a pet form of Edward and of Theodore, and is now given in its own right. The Online Etymology Dictionary traces Edward to Old English Eadweard, 'prosperity-guard', from ead, 'wealth' or 'prosperity', and weard, 'guardian'; Theodore is Greek for 'gift of God'. The teddy bear, named in 1906, honours the American president Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt, a big-game hunter who was also a keen conservationist. Baby-name lists give either 'wealthy guardian' or 'gift of God', depending on the longer name. Teddy is said TED-ee, a warm, friendly name that suits Indian surnames.

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com) · entry Teddy · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Teddy · Online Etymology Dictionary, Edward · Online Etymology Dictionary, teddy bear

Famous namesakes

• Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt, 26th US president

Popularity abroad

• #823 United States, boys 2025 (up 72 from 895 in 2024)
  US Social Security Administration
• #34 England and Wales, boys 2025
  Office for National Statistics

Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.

Spellings

Teddy · Teddie

Related names

Also meaning prosperity

More names of Greek origin

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