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Edward Boy

Popularity: #217 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationED-ward / /ˈɛd.wərd/

Old English; Germanic

Meaning

Old English: wealthy guardian; Germanic: prosperous protector

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Edward has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "ead," meaning wealth or fortune, and "weard," meaning guardian or protector. This etymological combination gives the name a literal meaning of "wealthy guardian." The name was introduced to England by the Anglo-Saxons and has been recorded in various forms, such as "Eadweard," before evolving into its modern form. The Norman Conquest in the 11th century further influenced its usage, as the name was adopted by the Normans and subsequently spread throughout England and other parts of Europe.

Historically, Edward has been borne by several notable figures, most prominently Edward the Confessor, who reigned as King of England from 1042 to 1066. He is remembered as a saint in the Christian tradition, and his canonization in the 12th century solidified the name's religious significance. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts, including the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which documents the early history of England. The name's prominence continued with other royal bearers, such as Edward I and Edward III, both of whom played significant roles in English history during the medieval period.

Culturally, the name Edward has been associated with nobility and leadership, often symbolizing strength and protection. It has been used in literature and folklore, reinforcing its stature as a name of dignity and respect. The diminutive form "Eddie" has also emerged, reflecting a more familiar or affectionate usage, though it is less common in historical texts. Overall, the name Edward has maintained a lasting legacy, deeply intertwined with English history and culture.

Trend Summary

Edward has experienced fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the early 20th century and seeing a resurgence in recent years.

Similar Names

EdmundEliasEdgarEthanEvanElliotEmmettEzekiel

Variants

  • Ed
  • Eddie
  • Ned

International Variants

  • Eduardo (Spanish)
  • Édouard (French)
  • Edoardo (Italian)

Famous people named Edward

Edward Norton is an actor and filmmaker best known for Fight Club, American History X, and The Illusionist.

Edward Scissorhands is a fictional character best known for the film Edward Scissorhands.

Edward R. Murrow is a broadcast journalist best known for See It Now and his reporting during World War II.

Edward Abbey is an author and environmentalist best known for Desert Solitaire and The Monkey Wrench Gang.

Edward Albee is a playwright best known for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Zoo Story, and A Delicate Balance.

Edward James Olmos is an actor and director best known for Stand and Deliver, Miami Vice, and Battlestar Galactica.

Edward I of England is a historical figure best known for his role in the conquest of Wales and the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Edward Van Halen is a musician best known as the guitarist for the rock band Van Halen.

Edward Gorey is an author and illustrator best known for his distinctive style and works such as The Gashlycrumb Tinies.

Edward Snowden is a whistleblower best known for leaking classified NSA documents.

Fictional characters named Edward

Edward Elric is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Fullmetal Alchemist. He is a talented alchemist who embarks on a journey to restore his and his brother's bodies after a failed alchemical experiment.

Edward Cullen is a fictional character from the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. He is a vampire who falls in love with a human girl named Bella Swan, leading to a complex relationship filled with supernatural challenges.

Edward Hyde is a fictional character from the novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. He is the violent and immoral alter ego of Dr. Jekyll, representing the darker side of human nature.

Edward Nygma is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe, primarily known as the Riddler. He is a criminal mastermind who uses riddles and puzzles to challenge Batman and commit his crimes.

Edward Kenway is a fictional character from the video game series Assassin's Creed. He is a pirate and assassin during the Golden Age of Piracy, playing a key role in the conflict between the Assassins and Templars.

Sibling Suggestions

AliceHenryGeorgeCharlotteJamesMargaret

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Edward was first seen in the United States in 1880. Edward has ranked as high as #15 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and Massachusetts. In the past 5 years the name Edward has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Edward (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 174
12%
TX 128
9%
NY 103
7%
FL 86
6%
IL 77
5%
PA 71
5%
GA 59
4%
MA 54
4%
MI 53
4%
OH 51
3%
NC 46
3%
VA 41
3%
WI 38
3%
TN 38
3%
MD 35
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18802,364
18812,177
18822,477
18832,250
18842,439
18852,220
18862,312
18872,125
18882,470
18892,299
18902,282
18911,989
18922,416
18932,309
18942,179
18952,203
18962,296
18972,121
18982,337
18991,901
19002,720
19011,917
19022,294
19032,268
19042,335
19052,366
19062,398
19072,576
19082,707
19092,935
19103,407
19114,164
19127,936
19139,474
191412,319
191515,889
191617,005
191717,501
191819,489
191918,536
192020,097
192120,817
192220,419
192320,597
192421,126
192520,090
192619,375
192719,114
192818,492
192917,220
193017,351
193115,647
193215,190
193313,797
193413,917
193513,844
193614,194
193714,930
193814,550
193914,428
194014,404
194115,581
194217,469
194317,713
194416,481
194515,871
194618,585
194720,539
194818,983
194919,172
195018,715
195119,913
195219,504
195318,984
195419,493
195519,280
195619,437
195718,711
195817,375
195916,916
196016,592
196115,876
196215,515
196315,320
196415,608
196514,411
196613,277
196712,653
196812,276
196912,452
197012,278
197111,061
19729,295
19738,359
19747,820
19757,380
19767,048
19776,840
19786,480
19796,875
19806,763
19816,661
19826,281
19836,005
19845,914
19855,869
19865,779
19875,911
19885,801
19895,849
19905,746
19915,572
19925,233
19934,790
19944,520
19954,143
19964,073
19973,915
19983,575
19993,597
20003,485
20013,376
20023,244
20033,114
20043,154
20052,975
20062,871
20072,827
20082,794
20092,987
20102,905
20112,671
20122,597
20132,709
20142,591
20152,601
20162,517
20172,327
20182,286
20192,053
20201,950
20211,748
20221,751
20231,734
20241,584