Ted
Ted is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Gift of God (from Theodore) or wealthy guardian (from Edward).
Origin and history
Ted originated as a short form of Theodore and Edward, carrying Greek roots meaning 'gift of God' or Old English roots meaning 'wealthy guardian'. Historically popular in the United States throughout the early to mid-20th century, it has become less common for newborns today. It remains a familiar, classic American short name.
Popularity in the United States
75,160 babies in the United States have been named Ted since 1880. It ranks #387 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1689.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.3 %)
- OH (7.3 %)
- IL (6.4 %)
- TX (5.8 %)
- MI (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 143 |
| 1890-1900 | 247 |
| 1900-1910 | 942 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,514 |
| 1920-1930 | 6,842 |
| 1930-1940 | 10,526 |
| 1940-1950 | 13,027 |
| 1950-1960 | 14,719 |
| 1960-1970 | 13,540 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,450 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,012 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,586 |
| 2000-2010 | 764 |
| 2010-2019 | 610 |
| 2020-2029 | 238 |
Famous people named Ted
- Ted Williams: Baseball Player
- Ted Danson: Actor
- Ted Turner: Entrepreneur, Media Executive
Fun facts
- Ted uniquely serves as a traditional diminutive for two entirely distinct names: the Greek-derived Theodore and the Old English Edward.
- U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was widely known by the nickname Teddy or Ted.