How did Senator Kennedy get his nickname Ted?

Answer 1

When young Edward was born, being the fourth of five boys, he was considered the 'favorite' son, as most fourth sons are. Edward was thought to be a name of derision, but the matriarch could not avoid using it as it was her paternal grandfather's given name. Da-da Teddy, as she called him, was most successful, both as a family man and in business. Rose Fitzgerald was the apple of her grandfather's eye.

Edward Fitzgerald bore the burden of raising Rose after the tragic accident that took the life of his only daughter and her husband, Burt after they fell into the water-wheel of a large steam-boat as it navigated the mighty Mississippi.

Edward and his wife Narney, raised young Rose until Narney's untimely death in 1876 after being hit by a steam locomotive that derailed near Rose's boarding school.

Da-da Teddy and Rose were inseparable until she married off and began what was soon to become the Kennedy Dynasty.

Joseph Kennedy, the father of Edward (Teddy), JFK, RFK, et al, could only agree to use Rose's maiden name, Fitzgerald, but never Edward, as he despised Rose's grandfather. However, after young Robert was born he promised Rose that if they had another son, she would allow her to name him Edward, after her beloved grandfather.

On February 22nd, 1932, the Kennedy's were blessed with a fourth son, Edward Moore Kennedy, known as 'Ted' or 'Teddy' in memory of Rose's Da-da Teddy.