Ted - A very unique male name
Ted at a glance
Ted is ranked #3751 among boy baby names in 2025, with 6 births in 2025. It peaked in 1935 at #142 and first appeared on the charts in 1910.
- Rank in 2025
- #3751
- Births in 2025
- 6
- Peak year
- 1935 (#142)
- First appeared
- 1910
- Trend
- #3335 in 2020 → #3751 in 2025 (Falling)
- Popularity
- 1 in 244,381 boys
- Visitor rating
- 2.8/5 (4 recent votes)
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration · Data through 2025 · Updated 2026
With that position 1 in 244,381 baby boys were given this name - making this a very unique male name according to our Popularity Score algorithm. Ted peaked in popularity 91 years ago in 1935 on position 142.
Famous with this name
Ted Levine
Ted McGinley
Ted Danson
How would you rate Ted, 1-5?
Ted is currently topping the charts in...
Did you know that popularity can vary a lot between states? Ted is currently topping the baby name charts in New York at position #1,736 - and is the least popular in New York at position #1,736.Why care about state specific baby name charts? It could be that a name that is very popular on the national overall charts is less (or even more) popular where you live. So make sure you check out the state specific charts below and find out how popular or unique Ted is where you live.
Comment and discuss
Ted origin and meaning
English short form
Short form of Edward ('wealth-guardian') and of Theodore ('gift of God')
Ted is the classic short form shared by Edward and Theodore, used as a full name in its own right since the 19th century. It peaked in 1958 and has dwindled to 6 births in 2025. Its bearers include both the beloved actor Ted Danson and, flagged plainly, the serial killer Ted Bundy, whose notoriety is inseparable from the name for many people.
Attested etymology
Ted is a 3 letter name with 1 syllables.
To see famous people named Ted, pop culture references for the name Ted and nicknames & variations - visit Nameberry or Wikipedia.Similar to Ted
We've found the following names that sound similar to Ted, sorted by popularity.
Todd / Ty / Theo / Teddy / Tate / Tod / Tadeo / Thad / Tad / Tye /Name statistics
Most parents-to-be know if they want a popular or unique name, and with these charts and data tables you can easily get a better
understanding of how popular or unique this name is.
With a quick glance you can easily tell if this name is increasing or declining in popularity - But note that its current popularity can actually
differ a lot from state to state.
Chart position per year (visualized)
Chart position per state (visualized)
Chart position per year (table view)
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 3751 |
| 2024 | 2784 |
| 2020 | 3335 |
| 2019 | 2307 |
| 2018 | 3401 |
| 2017 | 2653 |
| 2016 | 2724 |
| 2015 | 3772 |
| 2014 | 2182 |
| 2013 | 2105 |
| 2012 | 1892 |
| 2011 | 2203 |
| 2010 | 3285 |
| 2009 | 2361 |
| 2008 | 2054 |
| 2007 | 2119 |
| 2006 | 2376 |
| 2005 | 1759 |
| 2004 | 1927 |
| 2003 | 2310 |
| 2002 | 1449 |
| 2001 | 1420 |
| 2000 | 1550 |
| 1999 | 1159 |
| 1998 | 1284 |
| 1997 | 1193 |
| 1996 | 1020 |
| 1995 | 902 |
| 1994 | 855 |
| 1993 | 813 |
| 1992 | 794 |
| 1991 | 827 |
| 1990 | 666 |
| 1989 | 616 |
| 1988 | 529 |
| 1987 | 542 |
| 1986 | 516 |
| 1985 | 552 |
| 1984 | 499 |
| 1983 | 489 |
| 1982 | 477 |
| 1981 | 450 |
| 1980 | 430 |
| 1979 | 419 |
| 1978 | 410 |
| 1977 | 378 |
| 1976 | 373 |
| 1975 | 367 |
| 1974 | 351 |
| 1973 | 319 |
| 1972 | 281 |
| 1971 | 266 |
| 1970 | 246 |
| 1969 | 221 |
| 1968 | 219 |
| 1967 | 229 |
| 1966 | 212 |
| 1965 | 200 |
| 1964 | 188 |
| 1963 | 190 |
| 1962 | 178 |
| 1961 | 185 |
| 1960 | 183 |
| 1959 | 181 |
| 1958 | 173 |
| 1957 | 184 |
| 1956 | 191 |
| 1955 | 188 |
| 1954 | 191 |
| 1953 | 190 |
| 1952 | 182 |
| 1951 | 180 |
| 1950 | 170 |
| 1949 | 169 |
| 1948 | 162 |
| 1947 | 157 |
| 1946 | 157 |
| 1945 | 155 |
| 1944 | 160 |
| 1943 | 158 |
| 1942 | 155 |
| 1941 | 157 |
| 1940 | 159 |
| 1939 | 148 |
| 1938 | 147 |
| 1937 | 147 |
| 1936 | 142 |
| 1935 | 142 |
| 1934 | 146 |
| 1933 | 145 |
| 1932 | 147 |
| 1931 | 153 |
| 1930 | 155 |
| 1929 | 167 |
| 1928 | 172 |
| 1927 | 189 |
| 1926 | 188 |
| 1925 | 206 |
| 1924 | 220 |
| 1923 | 218 |
| 1922 | 220 |
| 1921 | 214 |
| 1920 | 232 |
| 1919 | 219 |
| 1918 | 219 |
| 1917 | 221 |
| 1916 | 235 |
| 1915 | 240 |
| 1914 | 252 |
| 1913 | 248 |
| 1912 | 226 |
| 1911 | 300 |
| 1910 | 228 |
Chart position per state (table view)
| State | Rank |
|---|---|
| New York | 1736 |
Even more about Ted
These are some of the common questions you may want to have answered to know if this is the perfect name for your baby.
Is Ted a common or unique name?
By analyzing the number of births and frequency of this name we've determined that it's currently a very unique male name.What is the number of syllables for the name Ted?
1 syllables. Why is this important? One of the things that makes a baby name sound good and have a nice rythm is the number of syllables - and especially the number of syllables along with the syllable count for your last name. A simple rule is to avoid having the same number of syllables in your first, middle and last name.Pronunciation
TED · /tÉ›d/
Around the world
No traditional forms in other languages — this name was created in America in our own time.
Spellings and nicknames
- Edward — One of the full names Ted shortens
- Theodore — The other full name Ted shortens
- Teddy — Diminutive form also used as a name
Nicknames: Teddy
Famous bearers
- Ted Danson — American actor, star of Cheers and The Good Place (born Edward Danson, universally known as Ted) (b. 1947) Contemporary
- Ted Bundy — American serial killer whose crimes in the 1970s made 'Ted Bundy' a notorious association for this name (1946–1989) Historical
Style
Short formNickname nameClassic
Why parents choose it
Ted is a plain, friendly, grandfatherly short name — unfashionable now, which is exactly its retro appeal for some parents.
Worth knowing
- Ted Bundy is a strong negative association many people raise immediately.
- Most Teds are assumed to be Edwards or Theodores.
