Teddy
''Teddy'' is an English-language given name, commonly a diminutive or nickname for names such as Theodore, Edward, or Theodora. The term may also refer to various other entities, including:Personal name
Etymology and usage
"Teddy" serves as a diminutive or hypocorism primarily of the given names Theodore and Edward, with occasional use as a nickname for Theodora. The name Theodore derives from the Greek Θεόδωρος (Theódōros), combining θεός (theós, meaning "god") and δῶρον (dôron, meaning "gift"), thus translating to "God's gift." Edward originates from Old English Ēadweard, from ēad ("wealth" or "prosperity") and weard ("guardian"), signifying "wealthy guardian." These roots reflect the name's classical and Anglo-Saxon linguistic heritage.[1][2] The name Teddy first emerged as a personal name in English-speaking countries during the 19th century, evolving as an affectionate shorthand for longer formal names. Its popularity surged in the early 20th century, largely due to the prominence of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), affectionately known as "Teddy," which helped establish it as an independent given name beyond mere nickname status. This historical association contributed to its adoption in the United States, United Kingdom, and other Anglophone regions.[3][2] In contemporary usage, Teddy remains predominantly masculine but has gained traction as a unisex name, particularly in informal contexts. According to data from the U.S. Social Security Administration, Teddy ranked 996th among boys' names in 2024, assigned to approximately 152 male infants, indicating steady but modest popularity outside the top 500. It is infrequently given to girls, with fewer than 10 occurrences annually in recent years, underscoring its shift toward greater gender flexibility while retaining a strong male association.[4][5] Internationally, variations of Teddy appear in languages influenced by English naming conventions. In French, it serves as a nickname for Théodore, often alongside Théo, while in German, forms like Teddi or Theo derive from Theodor. These adaptations maintain the affectionate, diminutive quality of the original English form across European cultures.[1][6]Notable people
Prominent individuals known by the name or nickname Teddy span various fields, including politics, entertainment, and sports. Political figuresTheodore "Teddy" Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909, becoming the youngest person to assume the presidency after William McKinley's assassination. He advanced progressive policies such as antitrust enforcement, breaking up monopolies like J.P. Morgan's Northern Securities Company, and conservation initiatives that established 150 national forests, 5 national parks, and 18 national monuments, protecting approximately 230 million acres of land.[7] The nickname "Teddy" originated during his Harvard years in the late 1870s but was disliked by Roosevelt, who preferred his full name, though it gained popularity through media coverage.[8] Edward "Teddy" Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009) was a longtime U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, elected nine times and serving from 1962 until his death, making him one of the longest-serving senators in history. As a leading advocate for social justice, he contributed to landmark legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the abolition of national-origin immigration quotas in 1965, and expansions to Medicare and affordable health care access.[9] Entertainers
Theodore "Teddy" Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an influential American R&B and soul singer who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, delivering hits like "If You Don't Know Me by Now" (1972, No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart) and "Wake Up Everybody" (1975, No. 1 R&B). Launching a solo career in 1977, he became the first Black male artist to achieve five consecutive platinum albums, with standout singles such as "Close the Door" (1978, Grammy-nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance) and "Love T.K.O." (1980), despite a career-altering car accident in 1982 that left him paralyzed.[10] Teddy Geiger (born September 16, 1988) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actress who first gained prominence as a teen pop artist with her 2006 debut album Underage Thinking, which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and featured the single "For You I Will (Confidence)" from the film Smallville. Transitioning to songwriting and production, she has co-written hits for artists including Shawn Mendes ("Treat You Better," 2016) and contributed to soundtracks, earning Grammy nominations for her versatile work across pop and R&B genres.[11] Athletes
Teddy Riner (born April 7, 1989) is a French judoka widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport's history, competing in the heavyweight (+100 kg) category. He has secured 11 world championships—the most by any judoka—and four Olympic gold medals, including individual golds in 2012, 2016, and 2024, plus a team gold in 2024 at Paris, alongside bronzes in 2008 and 2020.[12] Teddy Bridgewater (born May 22, 1992) is an American football quarterback who was selected 32nd overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings after a standout college career at the University of Louisville. Over 11 NFL seasons, he played for teams including the Vikings, New Orleans Saints (where he led a 5-0 start in 2018), Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions, amassing over 15,000 passing yards and 72 touchdowns; in 2024, he briefly coached his high school alma mater, Miami Northwestern, to a state championship before returning to the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025.[13] Other notable figures
Teddy Sheringham (born April 2, 1966) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker, most notably for Manchester United from 1997 to 2001, where he scored crucial goals in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final and FA Cup final, contributing to the club's historic treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles. With over 700 club appearances and 146 goals for England (including at Euro 1996), he holds the record as the oldest goalscorer in Premier League history at age 40 years and 292 days. In recent years, Teddy Swims (born Jaten Dimsdale, September 25, 1992) has emerged as a prominent American singer-songwriter, blending soul, R&B, and pop; his 2024 single "Lose Control" topped the Billboard Hot 100 and charted for over 70 weeks, following viral YouTube covers and his debut album I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1) (2022). Nominated for Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys, he announced a complete edition of his sophomore album in 2025, solidifying his rise with Warner Records.[14]