Declining since 1985, #3,181 for boys today.
Popularity of Ted since 1880
Babies named Ted per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1958, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ted's real moment was 1933.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 143 |
| 1890s | 247 |
| 1900s | 942 |
| 1910s | 3,514 |
| 1920s | 6,842 |
| 1930s | 10,526 |
| 1940s | 13,027 |
| 1950s | 14,719 |
| 1960s | 13,540 |
| 1970s | 5,450 |
| 1980s | 3,012 |
| 1990s | 1,586 |
| 2000s | 764 |
| 2010s | 610 |
| 2020s | 238 |
Meaning & origin
Ted has been in use as a given name since at least 1880, when it first appeared on U.S. records. Its peak came in 1933, reflecting the era's fondness for friendly, one-syllable nicknames as formal names. The name has been on a downward trajectory since 1985, and in 2025 it ranked 3,181 with a 1-in-46,164 frequency. New York has historically been the top state for Ted. While less common today, Ted retains a warm, straightforward charm that appeals to parents seeking a classic but unpretentious name, often as a stand-alone or as a bridge to more formal full names.
Ted is a well-established diminutive of names beginning with 'Ed-' or 'Theo-', particularly Edward, Edgar, and Theodore. Edward derives from Old English Eadweard, meaning 'wealthy guard,' Edgar from Eadgar, meaning 'spear strength,' and Theodore from Greek Theodoros, meaning 'gift of God.' Ted emerged as a pet form in medieval England and has since become an independent given name.
Where Ted is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ted” around the world
Where Ted lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
29
babies in 2025
New Zealand
22
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Ted
Names that share Ted's style, for a brother or sister.
