Christopher Robin’s teddy bear appeared as Edward Bear in Milne’s 1924 poem “Teddy Bear.”
The poem was published in Punch in February 1924 and later included in When We Were Very Young. It represents the earliest printed appearance of the toy-based bear associated with Christopher Robin Milne.
The bear’s name changed in stages. Christopher Robin first called his toy Edward Bear, then renamed him Winnie after the real bear at London Zoo. “Pooh” was added from a swan that appeared in Milne’s earlier poetry. The combined name eventually became Winnie-the-Pooh.
This early appearance is distinct from the character’s later debut by name in a Christmas story and from the 1926 story collection. Edward Bear is therefore the answer when the question concerns the earliest printed identity of Christopher Robin’s toy bear.