Edward Boy

Popularity: #215 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ED-ward //ˈɛd.wərd//

Origin: 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.

Famous people named Edward

In this section, you will find notable people named Edward. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Edward who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Edward who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

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

The following list of fictional characters named Edward is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

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

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Edward, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AliceHenryGeorgeCharlotteJamesMargaret

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Edward. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

EdmundEliasEdgarEthanEvanElliotEmmettEzekiel

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 New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Edward has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Edward is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Edward was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Edward.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,591 1,591 0
2024 1,589 1,589 0
2023 1,737 1,737 0
2022 1,752 1,752 0
2021 1,749 1,749 0
2020 1,952 1,952 0
2019 2,054 2,054 0
2018 2,286 2,286 0
2017 2,328 2,328 0
2016 2,518 2,518 0
2015 2,602 2,602 0
2014 2,596 2,591 5
2013 2,711 2,711 0
2012 2,597 2,597 0
2011 2,671 2,671 0
2010 2,905 2,905 0
2009 2,988 2,988 0
2008 2,796 2,796 0
2007 2,835 2,828 7
2006 2,871 2,871 0
2005 2,975 2,975 0
2004 3,166 3,156 10
2003 3,119 3,114 5
2002 3,250 3,244 6
2001 3,384 3,376 8
2000 3,496 3,485 11
1999 3,597 3,597 0
1998 3,583 3,575 8
1997 3,920 3,915 5
1996 4,083 4,073 10
1995 4,152 4,143 9
1994 4,538 4,520 18
1993 4,808 4,790 18
1992 5,251 5,233 18
1991 5,591 5,572 19
1990 5,765 5,746 19
1989 5,874 5,849 25
1988 5,841 5,801 40
1987 5,953 5,913 40
1986 5,817 5,777 40
1985 5,913 5,869 44
1984 5,957 5,914 43
1983 6,038 6,005 33
1982 6,333 6,281 52
1981 6,707 6,661 46
1980 6,823 6,762 61
1979 6,943 6,877 66
1978 6,526 6,473 53
1977 6,886 6,840 46
1976 7,098 7,048 50
1975 7,438 7,381 57
1974 7,874 7,817 57
1973 8,419 8,360 59
1972 9,370 9,292 78
1971 11,130 11,062 68
1970 12,337 12,275 62
1969 12,520 12,451 69
1968 12,344 12,276 68
1967 12,713 12,652 61
1966 13,342 13,279 63
1965 14,488 14,404 84
1964 15,670 15,609 61
1963 15,388 15,323 65
1962 15,585 15,518 67
1961 15,945 15,877 68
1960 16,665 16,595 70
1959 16,977 16,914 63
1958 17,442 17,377 65
1957 18,768 18,711 57
1956 19,506 19,436 70
1955 19,331 19,280 51
1954 19,537 19,493 44
1953 19,033 18,984 49
1952 19,555 19,501 54
1951 19,956 19,913 43
1950 18,775 18,714 61
1949 19,224 19,174 50
1948 19,034 18,983 51
1947 20,594 20,539 55
1946 18,637 18,585 52
1945 15,914 15,870 44
1944 16,531 16,482 49
1943 17,768 17,713 55
1942 17,540 17,470 70
1941 15,627 15,580 47
1940 14,450 14,405 45
1939 14,477 14,427 50
1938 14,608 14,551 57
1937 14,989 14,930 59
1936 14,258 14,194 64
1935 13,913 13,844 69
1934 13,983 13,917 66
1933 13,857 13,797 60
1932 15,277 15,191 86
1931 15,747 15,646 101
1930 17,454 17,352 102
1929 17,352 17,220 132
1928 18,630 18,492 138
1927 19,227 19,115 112
1926 19,488 19,375 113
1925 20,196 20,090 106
1924 21,223 21,126 97
1923 20,676 20,597 79
1922 20,512 20,419 93
1921 20,897 20,817 80
1920 20,161 20,097 64
1919 18,601 18,536 65
1918 19,552 19,489 63
1917 17,562 17,501 61
1916 17,048 17,005 43
1915 15,942 15,889 53
1914 12,367 12,319 48
1913 9,516 9,474 42
1912 7,963 7,936 27
1911 4,175 4,164 11
1910 3,425 3,407 18
1909 2,947 2,935 12
1908 2,714 2,707 7
1907 2,585 2,576 9
1906 2,407 2,398 9
1905 2,377 2,366 11
1904 2,342 2,335 7
1903 2,278 2,268 10
1902 2,306 2,294 12
1901 1,917 1,917 0
1900 2,728 2,720 8
1899 1,910 1,901 9
1898 2,346 2,337 9
1897 2,131 2,121 10
1896 2,305 2,296 9
1895 2,216 2,203 13
1894 2,192 2,179 13
1893 2,319 2,309 10
1892 2,425 2,416 9
1891 1,995 1,989 6
1890 2,295 2,282 13
1889 2,311 2,299 12
1888 2,479 2,470 9
1887 2,136 2,125 11
1886 2,323 2,312 11
1885 2,225 2,220 5
1884 2,448 2,439 9
1883 2,257 2,250 7
1882 2,482 2,477 5
1881 2,177 2,177 0
1880 2,364 2,364 0

Top States for Edward (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 174
11%
TX 128
8%
NY 103
7%
FL 86
5%
IL 77
5%
PA 71
5%
GA 59
4%
NJ 55
4%
MA 54
3%
MI 53
3%
OH 51
3%
NC 46
3%
VA 41
3%
WI 38
2%
TN 38
2%
MD 35
2%
WA 33
2%
MN 30
2%
MO 29
2%
SC 29
2%
CT 28
2%
AZ 27
2%
CO 27
2%
IN 24
2%
AL 23
1%
KY 20
1%
OK 18
1%
KS 17
1%
LA 16
1%
IA 15
1%
NV 13
1%
UT 12
1%
OR 11
1%
ID 9
1%
MS 8
1%
ME 8
1%
NE 8
1%
WV 7
0%
DE 6
0%
VT 6
0%
AR 6
0%
RI 6
0%
NM 6
0%
NH 5
0%
MT 5
0%
AK 5
0%
ND 5
0%