Ted
Fact sheet
- Name
- Ted
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 1
Ted is an English abbreviation for the first names Edward, meaning 'the guardian of wealth', and Theodore, meaning 'gift of God'. These meanings also apply to the corresponding English forms Edward and Theodore.
What does the name Ted mean?
Ted is primarily found in the English-speaking world and is often used as a nickname, while it appears less frequently as an independent first name. A common affectionate form of Ted is Teddy.
Where does the name Ted come from?
The name Ted has its roots in Old English and Ancient Greek, meaning 'the guardian of wealth' or 'gift of God'. In Old English, the elements ead, meaning wealth or fortune, and weard, meaning guardian or protector, combine. In Ancient Greek, theós (God) and dôron (gift) are added. Ted is particularly prevalent in American English.
How do you pronounce Ted?
The pronunciation of Ted is simple and memorable. It is pronounced as a single syllable [tɛd], starting with a clear plosive sound that conveys determination. The short, bright vowel provides a compact sound, while the gentle closing consonant offers a calm finish. Thus, Ted conveys a straightforward, direct impression - focused, sober, and present.
When is the name day of Ted?
The name days for Ted, as a short form of Edward, are January 5, March 18, and October 13. For Theodore, the name days are February 11, April 24, August 16, September 19, November 9, and November 11.
Popularity
In Germany, Ted is a fairly sought-after name, currently ranking 1,751st among the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2014 at rank 999. Over the last ten years, the name has been given about 140 times, placing it at 1,959th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,778th.
Nicknames & pet names
Teddy / Tedi / Tedi-Dog / Teds
Famous people
- Arthur Ted Powell (British artist)
- Edward Ambrose 'Ted' Mellors (1907–1946, British motorcycle racer)
- Edward 'Ted' Kennedy (American politician)
- Ted Banker (American football player)
- Ted Boy Marino (Italian actor)
- Ted Bundy (American serial killer)
- Ted Connor (football player from Great Britain)
- Ted Dean (American football player)
- Ted Elliott (football player)
- Ted Eshbaugh (Canadian film director)
- Ted Fenton (English football player)
- Ted Harris (Canadian ice hockey player)
- Ted Herold (singer, the German Elvis)
- Ted Hulbert (biathlete from America)
- Ted Irvine (Canadian ice hockey player)
- Ted James (English cricketer)
- Ted Kitchel (American basketball player)
- Ted Kroll (golfer from America)
- Ted Ligety (American skier)
- Ted Lindsay (Canadian ice hockey player)
Frequently asked questions about the name Ted
What does the name Ted mean?
The name Ted has its roots in Old English and Ancient Greek, meaning 'the guardian of wealth' or 'gift of God'. The elements ead and weard in Old English and theós and dôron in Ancient Greek are crucial to its meaning.
What gender is the name Ted?
Ted is a boy's name and is primarily used for male children.
What nicknames are there for Ted?
Common nicknames for Ted include Teddy, Tedi, Tedi-Dog, and Teds. These affectionate names add a personal touch to the name.
How is the name Ted pronounced?
The name Ted is typically pronounced as 'tɛd', similar to the English word for 'beds'.