Boy · 161st of 6,773
Ted
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
75,386
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1958
Peak Popularity Year
1,748
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Ted stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Ted is an English name derived primarily as a diminutive of Edward and Theodore, meaning 'wealthy guardian' and 'gift of God', respectively. The name has evolved through historical forms like Edward and Theodore. It is characterized by its friendly and approachable traits, with no significant biblical relevance. Ted became popular in the 20th century and is associated with notable figures such as Ted Kennedy and Ted Danson.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/tɛd/
Origin
English
Etymology
Ted is often a diminutive form of the name Edward or Theodore. Edward comes from the Old English 'ēad' meaning 'wealth, fortune' and 'weard' meaning 'guard'. Theodore is derived from the Greek 'theodoros', meaning 'gift of God'.
Meaning
wealthy guardian, gift of God
Language Evolution
Edward, Theodore, Ted
Historical Usage
Ted gained popularity in the 20th century as a standalone name, especially in English-speaking countries, often associated with friendly and approachable qualities.
Variants & Derivatives
Teddy, Theodore, Eddie
Modern Popularity & Image
Ted is often perceived as a friendly and approachable name, commonly associated with warmth and reliability.
Famous People
Ted Kennedy, Ted Danson, Ted Turner
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,748 peak births in 1958
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in Idaho
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 216th of 7545 | 9,544 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 161st of 6773 | 19,240 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 183rd of 7552 | 28,875 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 286th of 10718 | 11,190 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 627th of 16616 | 3,889 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1640th of 24088 | 1,323 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2601st of 23106 | 596 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3778th of 9107 | 105 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4047th of 9204 | 91 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7881st of 12526 | 35 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 11362nd of 19264 | 33 |