What is Teddy Altman's full first name?

Teddy Altman’s full first name is Theodora. Her full fictional name is Theodora Grace Altman, though nearly everyone in Grey’s Anatomy calls her Teddy.

The character, portrayed by Kim Raver, first appears in Season 6 as a cardiothoracic surgeon and former U.S. Army doctor. Owen Hunt brings her to Seattle Grace to mentor Cristina Yang, creating an immediate professional and romantic complication because Teddy is in love with Owen.

Teddy’s story expands beyond surgery: she marries patient Henry Burton, later has children with Owen, and becomes Chief of Surgery. Her past relationship with Allison Brown also becomes an important part of the character’s backstory and establishes her bisexuality.

A common mix-up is confusing Teddy’s nickname with her given name. “Teddy” is not the formal first name listed for the character; Theodora is. The name also distinguishes her from other Grey’s Anatomy doctors whose nicknames are used more often than their full names.