Teddy peaked in 1949 and carries 33,321 SSA records. At rank #898, it's in a genuinely interesting position: a name that feels simultaneously vintage and current, because Teddy has been quietly staging a revival that places it right at the intersection of grandpa-chic and nursery-warm. The teddy bear doesn't hurt. Nothing about this name hurts, actually, it's one of the most unfailingly warm names in the American inventory.
Old English Roots Via Theodore and Edward
Teddy is a diminutive that works for both Theodore and Edward — an unusual flexibility that comes from the -dy/-die suffix attaching to the "Ted" short form of both names. Theodore comes from Greek Theodoros, meaning "gift of God." Edward comes from Old English Eadweard, meaning "wealthy guardian." Both are substantial names with deep historical roots; Teddy is the affectionate, playful surface of either. The Old English origin via Edward is the more direct path historically.
Theodore Roosevelt and the Bear Connection
The teddy bear was named for President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, after a widely circulated political cartoon depicted him refusing to shoot a bear that had been tied to a tree. The Roosevelt-bear connection gave the name Teddy an association that's been operating warmly in American culture for over 120 years. Teddy Roosevelt himself is one of the most historically compelling American presidents — the youngest to take office, a conservationist, a war hero, a prolific author. These associations give Teddy a name-behind-the-nickname quality that most affectionate diminutives lack. Browse 1940s naming trends for the peak context.
Counter-Reading: The Stuffed Animal and the Formality Gap
Teddy is the name of a stuffed bear in global popular culture. For a child — and later an adult — that association is inescapable and mostly harmless. The formality gap is the more substantive consideration: a surgeon or a judge named Teddy may feel the need for Theodore or Edward on formal documents. That's a solvable problem (use the full name legally, Teddy always), and many parents go this route. Compare with Theodore and Edward to see the full-length options.