A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Teddy since 1890
Babies named Teddy per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1949, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Teddy's real moment was 1933.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 18 |
| 1900s | 20 | 159 |
| 1910s | 70 | 1,174 |
| 1920s | 161 | 2,967 |
| 1930s | 229 | 4,385 |
| 1940s | 340 | 5,145 |
| 1950s | 221 | 5,416 |
| 1960s | 100 | 5,280 |
| 1970s | 58 | 3,009 |
| 1980s | 55 | 1,950 |
| 1990s | 91 | 1,211 |
| 2000s | 29 | 779 |
| 2010s | 129 | 830 |
| 2020s | 272 | 1,304 |
Meaning & origin
Teddy entered U.S. naming records in 1890 and reached peak popularity in 1933, when it ranked highest on the charts. After decades of decline, the name began a resurgence in 2012 and has been rising steadily since. The greatest concentration of Teddys can be found in Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin, reflecting a particular Midwestern appeal. As a familiar form of the dignified Theodore, Teddy strikes a balance between traditional and friendly, making it a comfortable choice for modern parents seeking a name with historic roots and a casual feel.
Teddy originated as a pet form of Theodore, which comes from the Greek name Theodoros, derived from theos (god) and doron (gift). The nickname gained independent use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, partly popularized by President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt. Though originally a nickname, it has been used as a given name in its own right.
Where Teddy 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.
“Teddy” around the world
Where Teddy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Ireland
#69
in 2025
New Zealand
16
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Teddy
Names that share Teddy's style, for a brother or sister.
