Is 爹 appropriate for modern names?

Generally not recommended for modern given names as it carries a rustic, informal connotation. 爸爸 or 父 are more appropriate references to fatherhood.

What is the difference between 爹 and 爸爸?

爹 is more colloquial and regional, often associated with northern dialects and rural speech, while 爸爸 is the standard modern term used nationwide.

In some regional contexts, 爹 can be used respectfully for elderly men, though this usage is becoming less common in modern standard Mandarin.

爹Tone 1

diē ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

Father, dad, daddy — informal term for father, often used in colloquial speech;

can also be used as a term of address for an elderly man in some dialects.

Father, dad, daddy — informal term for father,can also be used as a term of

Father and motherDad and momStepfatherAdoptive fatherFatherCall someone father

My dad is a teacher (我爹是老师).
He calls his father 'die' (他叫他爹).
In some regions, 'die' is used respectfully for elderly men (在某些地区，'爹'用于尊称老年男子).
The child ran to his father (孩子跑向他爹).

Originally a colloquial term for father, more informal than 父.
Commonly used in northern Chinese dialects and rural areas.
In modern usage, sometimes carries a rustic or informal connotation compared to 爸爸.
The character combines 父 (father) and 多 (many), possibly suggesting the father's multiple roles.