Edwin Boy

Popularity: #373 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ED-win /ˈɛd.wɪn/

Origin: Old English; Anglo-Saxon

Meaning: wealthy friend; prosperous friend

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Edwin has its roots in Old English, deriving from the elements "ead," meaning "wealth, fortune, or prosperity," and "wine," which translates to "friend." This etymological composition suggests a meaning akin to "wealthy friend" or "prosperous friend." The name was recorded in various forms, such as Eadwine and Edwine, before settling into its modern form, Edwin, as it transitioned through Middle English. The name entered the English lexicon during the early medieval period, influenced by the spread of Christianity and the establishment of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England.

Historically, Edwin is notably associated with Edwin of Northumbria, a prominent king who reigned from approximately 616 to 633 CE. He is recognized for his role in the early Christianization of England, having been baptized by the missionary Paulinus.

Edwin's reign marked a significant period in the consolidation of power among the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and his legacy is preserved in various historical texts, including Bede's "Ecclesiastical History of the English People," written in the 8th century. The name Edwin was further popularized by its use in royal circles and among the nobility throughout the medieval period.

Culturally, Edwin has been embraced in various literary works and folklore, often symbolizing nobility and leadership. The name has appeared in several historical narratives and has been associated with figures of virtue and strength.

Additionally, the diminutive form "Eddie" has emerged in more recent times, although its use is less significant in historical contexts. The enduring appeal of the name Edwin can be attributed to its rich historical associations and the positive connotations of its meaning, which resonate with ideals of friendship and prosperity.

Famous people named Edwin

In this section, you will find notable people named Edwin. 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 Edwin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Edwin 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.

Edwin Aldrin is an astronaut best known for Apollo 11, Gemini 12, and being the second person to walk on the Moon.

Edwin Booth was an actor best known for his performances in Hamlet, Othello, and Richard III.

Edwin Land is an inventor best known for founding Polaroid Corporation and inventing instant photography.

Edwin Arlington Robinson was a poet best known for his works such as Richard Cory, Miniver Cheevy, and The Man Who Died.

Edwin S. Porter was a film director best known for The Great Train Robbery, Life of an American Fireman, and The Teddy Bears' Picnic.

Edwin Hubble was an astronomer best known for Hubble's Law, the discovery of galaxies beyond the Milky Way, and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Edwin McMillan was a physicist best known for his work on the discovery of plutonium and the development of the cyclotron.

Edwin Moses is a former hurdler best known for winning gold medals in the 400m hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics.

Edwin van der Sar is a former footballer best known for his time at Ajax, Juventus, and Manchester United.

Edwin P. Hubble was an astronomer best known for his contributions to the field of extragalactic astronomy and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Sibling suggestions

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

EdwardEthanEliEmmettEvanElias

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Edwin. 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.

EdgarEdisonEldonEwanEdrickEamonEldred

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Edwin was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Edwin has ranked as high as #123 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Edwin 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 Edwin 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 Edwin.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 798 798 0
2024 852 852 0
2023 831 831 0
2022 917 917 0
2021 921 921 0
2020 931 931 0
2019 962 962 0
2018 1,005 1,005 0
2017 1,034 1,034 0
2016 1,105 1,105 0
2015 1,149 1,149 0
2014 1,189 1,189 0
2013 1,235 1,235 0
2012 1,308 1,308 0
2011 1,524 1,524 0
2010 1,703 1,703 0
2009 1,980 1,980 0
2008 2,268 2,263 5
2007 2,398 2,398 0
2006 2,679 2,672 7
2005 2,312 2,307 5
2004 2,365 2,354 11
2003 2,179 2,171 8
2002 2,156 2,147 9
2001 1,992 1,987 5
2000 1,810 1,802 8
1999 1,684 1,678 6
1998 1,703 1,703 0
1997 1,613 1,605 8
1996 1,599 1,586 13
1995 1,692 1,685 7
1994 1,811 1,801 10
1993 1,843 1,823 20
1992 1,827 1,808 19
1991 1,983 1,968 15
1990 1,832 1,817 15
1989 1,776 1,761 15
1988 1,570 1,553 17
1987 1,420 1,406 14
1986 1,359 1,345 14
1985 1,335 1,329 6
1984 1,354 1,347 7
1983 1,210 1,193 17
1982 1,350 1,340 10
1981 1,342 1,334 8
1980 1,304 1,295 9
1979 1,289 1,284 5
1978 1,247 1,230 17
1977 1,289 1,283 6
1976 1,188 1,183 5
1975 1,248 1,240 8
1974 1,177 1,167 10
1973 1,327 1,320 7
1972 1,411 1,397 14
1971 1,543 1,525 18
1970 1,738 1,725 13
1969 1,791 1,777 14
1968 1,703 1,685 18
1967 1,680 1,666 14
1966 1,890 1,873 17
1965 1,918 1,907 11
1964 2,182 2,168 14
1963 2,245 2,234 11
1962 2,424 2,407 17
1961 2,462 2,447 15
1960 2,489 2,471 18
1959 2,588 2,580 8
1958 2,611 2,601 10
1957 2,725 2,714 11
1956 2,780 2,771 9
1955 2,676 2,666 10
1954 2,564 2,551 13
1953 2,659 2,644 15
1952 2,639 2,631 8
1951 2,577 2,569 8
1950 2,491 2,486 5
1949 2,374 2,374 0
1948 2,439 2,434 5
1947 2,597 2,590 7
1946 2,380 2,380 0
1945 1,956 1,948 8
1944 2,246 2,238 8
1943 2,394 2,388 6
1942 2,304 2,295 9
1941 2,223 2,214 9
1940 2,122 2,116 6
1939 2,071 2,063 8
1938 2,255 2,250 5
1937 2,268 2,262 6
1936 2,280 2,271 9
1935 2,267 2,258 9
1934 2,359 2,347 12
1933 2,343 2,328 15
1932 2,582 2,568 14
1931 2,719 2,704 15
1930 2,996 2,972 24
1929 2,924 2,897 27
1928 3,192 3,166 26
1927 3,425 3,390 35
1926 3,509 3,491 18
1925 3,582 3,560 22
1924 3,818 3,788 30
1923 3,675 3,652 23
1922 3,849 3,827 22
1921 3,760 3,750 10
1920 3,749 3,734 15
1919 3,468 3,450 18
1918 3,499 3,487 12
1917 3,364 3,346 18
1916 3,311 3,299 12
1915 3,167 3,151 16
1914 2,391 2,386 5
1913 1,836 1,825 11
1912 1,533 1,518 15
1911 705 699 6
1910 541 536 5
1909 492 492 0
1908 477 477 0
1907 468 468 0
1906 390 390 0
1905 357 357 0
1904 393 388 5
1903 353 347 6
1902 393 393 0
1901 299 299 0
1900 355 350 5
1899 336 329 7
1898 391 391 0
1897 385 380 5
1896 351 351 0
1895 346 346 0
1894 371 366 5
1893 354 354 0
1892 338 338 0
1891 327 327 0
1890 323 323 0
1889 306 306 0
1888 298 298 0
1887 310 310 0
1886 313 313 0
1885 289 289 0
1884 308 308 0
1883 299 299 0
1882 305 305 0
1881 274 274 0
1880 309 309 0

Top States for Edwin (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
TX 116
14%
CA 111
13%
FL 48
6%
NY 42
5%
IL 34
4%
PA 33
4%
GA 28
3%
WA 26
3%
NJ 24
3%
OH 24
3%
VA 24
3%
TN 23
3%
MD 22
3%
AZ 22
3%
WI 21
3%
NC 19
2%
CO 19
2%
MN 17
2%
IN 17
2%
MI 15
2%
AL 15
2%
MA 13
2%
SC 12
1%
MO 12
1%
UT 11
1%
OR 10
1%
KS 9
1%
NV 8
1%
MS 8
1%
CT 7
1%
AR 7
1%
KY 6
1%
NE 6
1%
NM 6
1%
IA 6
1%
OK 6
1%
ID 5
1%