Ted
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning wealthy protector; short for Theodore.
Ted by the numbers
In 2025, 176 babies in England and Wales were named Ted. In the US, 56 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given far more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 1,741 babies in 1958, so it is a 1950s name that has since fallen a long way.
Other names that come from Theodore
Like Ted, each of these traces back to Theodore: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Theodoregift of God2,638 in England and Wales (2025)
- Teddygift of God; from Theodore1,360 in England and Wales (2025)
- Teddiegift of god; a form of Theodore or Edward141 in England and Wales (2025)
- Teodorgift of god; a form of Theodore76 in England and Wales (2025)
- Theodorgift of God; a form of Theodore63 in England and Wales (2025)
- Theadoragift of god; a form of Theodore48 in England and Wales (2025)
- Teodoragift of God; feminine form of Theodore34 in England and Wales (2025)
- Teodorogift of god; a form of Theodore9 in England and Wales (2025)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Ted. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean a protector
Like Ted, each of these has a protector in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Williamresolute protector14,922 in the US (2017)
- Alexanderdefender of the people12,488 in the US (2017)
- Parkerkeeper of the park; park ranger5,833 in the US (2017)
- Alexisdefender, helper2,847 in the US (2017)
- Alexdefender, helper; short form of Alexander or Alexis2,766 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean wealth
Like Ted, each of these has wealth in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Maddoxfortunate, beneficent; son of Madoc3,119 in the US (2017)
- Jadejade stone; symbol of virtue and beauty2,765 in the US (2017)
- Edwardwealthy guardian1,385 in England and Wales (2025)
- Jaspertreasurer; keeper of treasure802 in England and Wales (2025)
- Felixhappy; fortunate811 in England and Wales (2025)
- Chancefortune, luck; occupational name1,359 in the US (2017)