Boy name · Greek
Teddy
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: gift of GodTeddy is a boy's name that comes from Greek and means "gift of God". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Gift of God
- Origin
- Greek
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #823 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Teddy
As a boy's name, Teddy comes from Greek and means "gift of God". It is used in English.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Teddy on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Teddy on 8 lists.
“A cuddly stuffed-bear name for a giant who walks upright”
From Bigfoot nicknames, cute Bigfoot names
“For a soft, cuddly cat who loves to be held”
From Boy cat names, classic boy cat names
“For a soft, cuddly pup who looks like a plush toy”
From Boy dog names, popular boy dog names
“Gift of God; Greek, a pet form of Theodore (or Edward), cuddly as a bear”
From Cute boy names, cute nickname-style boy names
“No. 3 for AKC boys in 2025 and on Trupanion's list too”
From Cute dog names, cute boy dog names
“A walking, mooing stuffed bear”
From Highland cattle names, cute Highland cow names
“Like a cuddly stuffed bear that loves to swim”
From Beaver names, cute beaver names
“Gift of God; Greek. Short for Theodore or Edward”
From Old man names, cozy grandpa nickname names
How popular is Teddy?
- US rank in 2025
- #823
- 301 babies, 176 per million boys
- Best rank
- #239 in 1933
- Most babies: 613 in 1949
- Babies since 1890
- At least 33,627
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 16 per million |
| 1900s | 117 per million |
| 1910s | 176 per million |
| 1920s | 269 per million |
| 1930s | 415 per million |
| 1940s | 346 per million |
| 1950s | 268 per million |
| 1960s | 274 per million |
| 1970s | 182 per million |
| 1980s | 106 per million |
| 1990s | 62 per million |
| 2000s | 39 per million |
| 2010s | 44 per million |
| 2020s | 126 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,808 | #1,641 | #1,647 | #1,449 | #1,334 | #1,169 | #1,043 | #996 | #895 | #823 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Teddy
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
Names with a similar meaning
- DoraGift (Greek, girl)
- DorotheaGift of God (Greek, girl)
- IsadoraGift of Isis (Greek, girl)
- MatthiasGift of God (Hebrew, boy)
- DoroteaGift of God (Greek, girl)
- EudoraGood gift (Greek, girl)
- FeodoraGift of God (Greek, girl)
- HeliodoraGift of the sun (Greek, girl)
- HeliodoroGift of the sun (Greek, boy)
- JessePossibly gift, or existence (Hebrew, boy)
Middle names for Teddy
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Greek
- AlexanderDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- LucasMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
- ChristianFollower of Christ (Greek, boy)
- LeonA lion (Greek, boy)
- HectorHolding fast (Greek, boy)
- AlexisHelper, defender (Greek, boy)
- LucaMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
- PeterRock, stone (Greek, boy)
- SebastianMan of sebaste, venerable (Greek, boy)
- AlexDefender, protector (Greek, unisex)
Teddy: common questions
What does the name Teddy mean?
Teddy comes from Greek and means "gift of God".
Is Teddy a boy or girl name?
Teddy is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 56 girls and 301 boys in the US were named Teddy, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Teddy come from?
Teddy comes from Greek and means "gift of God". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Teddy?
Teddy ranked #823 in the US in 2025, with 301 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Teddy?
Forms of Teddy with the same meaning and origin include Fyodor (Russian), Tadros (Arabic), Teodor (Polish), Teodoro (Spanish) and Theo (English).
What middle names go with Teddy?
Middle names that flow well with Teddy include Augustus, Basil, Burton, Evander and Jeremiah. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.

