Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
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
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
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
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 (1 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 1 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
12.57% 178th/1416 |
22.77% 314th/1379 |
10.90% 258th/2366 |
11.73% 134th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
8.80% 136th/1546 |
12.98% 202nd/1556 |
7.82% 184th/2353 |
6.79% 105th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
7.00% 156th/2227 |
9.05% 220th/2430 |
7.29% 208th/2853 |
5.37% 149th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
7.73% 227th/2937 |
9.50% 331st/3483 |
9.49% 334th/3518 |
6.73% 272nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
13.68% 504th/3685 |
15.40% 689th/4475 |
13.34% 693rd/5194 |
10.13% 640th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
37.82% 1733rd/4582 |
31.74% 1639th/5164 |
26.01% 1902nd/7313 |
22.27% 1662nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
62.40% 2800th/4487 |
43.54% 2970th/6822 |
37.83% 2374th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Idaho across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 216th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 161st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 183rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 286th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 627th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1640th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2601st out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3778th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4047th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7881st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 11362nd out of 19264 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.