Edward: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: Edward has been a popular name among British royalty, including several kings, such as Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III.

Edward Overview

Meaning

Wealthy guardian

Gender

Boy

Origin

Old English

Etymology

Derived from the Old English name “Eadweard”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈɛdwərd/

Popularity

The name Edward has remained in the top 200 boys’ names in the United States for over a century.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Traditional

Associated Traits

Powerful, reliable, intellectual, noble

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Saint Edward the Confessor, a king of England, is a significant religious figure. The name is also associated with several other saints and kings.

Name Day

October 13th

Edward Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Eadward, Eduard, Edouard

Common Nicknames

Eddie, Ned, Ted, Teddy

Diminutives

Eddy, Ed

Famous People

Edward Norton
(American Actor)
Edward Snowden
(American Whistleblower)
Edward Hopper
(American Painter)
Edward VIII
(King of the United Kingdom)
Edward Elgar
(English Composer)
Edward Albee
(American Playwright)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Edward Cullen
("Twilight" Series)
Edward Elric
("Fullmetal Alchemist" Manga/Anime)
Edward Scissorhands
(1990 Film)
Edward Rochester
("Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë)
Edward Teach
(Historical Figure)

Places

Edwardsville City
(Illinois, USA)
Edward River
(New South Wales, Australia)
Edward Island
(Ontario, Canada)
Edwards County
(Texas, USA)
Edward Park
(Queensland, Australia)

What Is the Meaning of Edward?

Edward means “wealthy guardian” or “rich guard” and is often associated with qualities like strength, reliability, and leadership.

What Is the Origin of The Name Edward?

Edward is of English origin and can trace its roots back to Old English elements “ead,” meaning “wealth, fortune,” and “weard,” meaning “guard.”

Edward Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Edward in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#2182021	#2162022	#2132023
Top 3 Rankings	#81912	#81913	#81914

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Edward

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	213 (+3 from 2022)	1723 (-24 from 2022)	0.09409
2022	216 (+2 from 2021)	1747 (+1 from 2021)	0.09327
2021	218 (-23 from 2020)	1746 (-203 from 2020)	0.09319
2020	195 (-3 from 2019)	1949 (-103 from 2019)	0.10537
2019	192 (-22 from 2018)	2052 (-233 from 2018)	0.10678
2018	170 No change from 2017	2285 (-42 from 2017)	0.11756
2017	170 (-8 from 2016)	2327 (-188 from 2016)	0.11758
2016	162 (-3 from 2015)	2515 (-86 from 2015)	0.12416
2015	159 (+2 from 2014)	2601 (+10 from 2014)	0.12722
2014	161 (-16 from 2013)	2591 (-118 from 2013)	0.12644
2013	145 (+12 from 2012)	2709 (+115 from 2012)	0.13406
2012	157 (-9 from 2011)	2594 (-75 from 2011)	0.12783
2011	148 (-12 from 2010)	2669 (-236 from 2010)	0.13139
2010	136 (+1 from 2009)	2905 (-80 from 2009)	0.14140
2009	137 (+11 from 2008)	2985 (+191 from 2008)	0.14074
2008	148 (-3 from 2007)	2794 (-31 from 2007)	0.12814
2007	145 (-4 from 2006)	2825 (-45 from 2006)	0.12754
2006	141 (-7 from 2005)	2870 (-103 from 2005)	0.13091
2005	134 (-5 from 2004)	2973 (-179 from 2004)	0.13975
2004	129 (+1 from 2003)	3152 (+38 from 2003)	0.14915
2003	130 (-11 from 2002)	3114 (-130 from 2002)	0.14820
2002	119 (-6 from 2001)	3244 (-132 from 2001)	0.15697
2001	113 (-5 from 2000)	3376 (-109 from 2000)	0.16322
2000	108 (-5 from 1999)	3485 (-112 from 1999)	0.16688
1999	103 (+2 from 1998)	3597 (+22 from 1998)	0.17641
1998	105 (-5 from 1997)	3575 (-340 from 1997)	0.17631
1997	100 (-4 from 1996)	3915 (-158 from 1996)	0.19597
1996	96 (-8 from 1995)	4073 (-70 from 1995)	0.20327
1995	88 (-4 from 1994)	4143 (-377 from 1994)	0.20598
1994	84 (-6 from 1993)	4520 (-270 from 1993)	0.22175
1993	78 (-8 from 1992)	4790 (-441 from 1992)	0.23190
1992	70 (-2 from 1991)	5231 (-341 from 1991)	0.24919
1991	68 No change from 1990	5572 (-174 from 1990)	0.26287
1990	68 (-6 from 1989)	5746 (-104 from 1989)	0.26700
1989	62 No change from 1988	5850 (+50 from 1988)	0.27911
1988	62 (-1 from 1987)	5800 (-110 from 1987)	0.28967
1987	61 No change from 1986	5910 (+132 from 1986)	0.30304
1986	61 (-2 from 1985)	5778 (-92 from 1985)	0.30067
1985	59 (-1 from 1984)	5870 (-44 from 1984)	0.30503
1984	58 (-3 from 1983)	5914 (-91 from 1983)	0.31513
1983	55 (-2 from 1982)	6005 (-277 from 1982)	0.32223
1982	53 (-2 from 1981)	6282 (-378 from 1981)	0.33288
1981	51 (+1 from 1980)	6660 (-105 from 1980)	0.35761
1980	52 (-4 from 1979)	6765 (-110 from 1979)	0.36474
1979	48 (-1 from 1978)	6875 (+395 from 1978)	0.38379
1978	47 No change from 1977	6480 (-360 from 1977)	0.37926
1977	47 (-2 from 1976)	6840 (-209 from 1976)	0.40015
1976	45 (-4 from 1975)	7049 (-332 from 1975)	0.43177
1975	41 (-1 from 1974)	7381 (-439 from 1974)	0.45494
1974	40 (-1 from 1973)	7820 (-540 from 1973)	0.47968
1973	39 (-5 from 1972)	8360 (-933 from 1972)	0.51808
1972	34 (-2 from 1971)	9293 (-1767 from 1971)	0.55512
1971	32 (-1 from 1970)	11060 (-1221 from 1970)	0.60841
1970	31 (+1 from 1969)	12281 (-169 from 1969)	0.64475
1969	32 (-1 from 1968)	12450 (+171 from 1968)	0.68064
1968	31 No change from 1967	12279 (-376 from 1967)	0.69160
1967	31 (-1 from 1966)	12655 (-620 from 1966)	0.71118
1966	30 (-1 from 1965)	13275 (-1135 from 1965)	0.73035
1965	29 (-2 from 1964)	14410 (-1196 from 1964)	0.76058
1964	27 No change from 1963	15606 (+290 from 1963)	0.76989
1963	27 (+2 from 1962)	15316 (-202 from 1962)	0.74183
1962	29 No change from 1961	15518 (-359 from 1961)	0.73836
1961	29 (-3 from 1960)	15877 (-713 from 1960)	0.73607
1960	26 (+1 from 1959)	16590 (-316 from 1959)	0.76616
1959	27 (+1 from 1958)	16906 (-470 from 1958)	0.78035
1958	28 (-3 from 1957)	17376 (-1335 from 1957)	0.80636
1957	25 No change from 1956	18711 (-727 from 1956)	0.85481
1956	25 No change from 1955	19438 (+161 from 1955)	0.90568
1955	25 (-3 from 1954)	19277 (-220 from 1954)	0.92223
1954	22 (+1 from 1953)	19497 (+515 from 1953)	0.94228
1953	23 No change from 1952	18982 (-522 from 1952)	0.94805
1952	23 No change from 1951	19504 (-409 from 1951)	0.98840
1951	23 (-1 from 1950)	19913 (+1198 from 1950)	1.04165
1950	22 (-1 from 1949)	18715 (-457 from 1949)	1.02897
1949	21 (-2 from 1948)	19172 (+191 from 1948)	1.06393
1948	19 No change from 1947	18981 (-1559 from 1947)	1.06470
1947	19 No change from 1946	20540 (+1957 from 1946)	1.10574
1946	19 (-1 from 1945)	18583 (+2714 from 1945)	1.12598
1945	18 No change from 1944	15869 (-613 from 1944)	1.15710
1944	18 No change from 1943	16482 (-1231 from 1943)	1.18647
1943	18 (-1 from 1942)	17713 (+245 from 1942)	1.21771
1942	17 No change from 1941	17468 (+1886 from 1941)	1.24036
1941	17 (-1 from 1940)	15582 (+1178 from 1940)	1.24173
1940	16 (-1 from 1939)	14404 (-22 from 1939)	1.21433
1939	15 (-2 from 1938)	14426 (-123 from 1938)	1.27291
1938	13 No change from 1937	14549 (-384 from 1937)	1.28017
1937	13 No change from 1936	14933 (+741 from 1936)	1.36544
1936	13 No change from 1935	14192 (+348 from 1935)	1.33346
1935	13 No change from 1934	13844 (-73 from 1934)	1.29432
1934	13 (-2 from 1933)	13917 (+120 from 1933)	1.31053
1933	11 No change from 1932	13797 (-1395 from 1932)	1.35239
1932	11 No change from 1931	15192 (-453 from 1931)	1.41395
1931	11 (-1 from 1930)	15645 (-1705 from 1930)	1.46246
1930	10 No change from 1929	17350 (+129 from 1929)	1.53606
1929	10 No change from 1928	17221 (-1271 from 1928)	1.55479
1928	10 No change from 1927	18492 (-622 from 1927)	1.62045
1927	10 No change from 1926	19114 (-261 from 1926)	1.64504
1926	10 (-1 from 1925)	19375 (-715 from 1925)	1.69149
1925	9 No change from 1924	20090 (-1036 from 1924)	1.74480
1924	9 (-1 from 1923)	21126 (+529 from 1923)	1.80714
1923	8 No change from 1922	20597 (+178 from 1922)	1.81908
1922	8 No change from 1921	20419 (-398 from 1921)	1.81470
1921	8 No change from 1920	20817 (+720 from 1920)	1.82937
1920	8 No change from 1919	20097 (+1561 from 1919)	1.82570
1919	8 No change from 1918	18536 (-953 from 1918)	1.82562
1918	8 No change from 1917	19489 (+1988 from 1917)	1.85848
1917	8 No change from 1916	17501 (+496 from 1916)	1.82434
1916	8 No change from 1915	17005 (+1116 from 1915)	1.84188
1915	8 No change from 1914	15889 (+3570 from 1914)	1.80367
1914	8 No change from 1913	12319 (+2845 from 1913)	1.80282
1913	8 No change from 1912	9474 (+1538 from 1912)	1.76672
1912	8 (+1 from 1911)	7936 (+3772 from 1911)	1.75787
1911	9 No change from 1910	4164 (+757 from 1910)	1.72497
1910	9 No change from 1909	3407 (+472 from 1909)	1.63393
1909	9 No change from 1908	2935 (+228 from 1908)	1.65948
1908	9 No change from 1907	2707 (+131 from 1907)	1.62713
1907	9 No change from 1906	2576 (+178 from 1906)	1.62438
1906	9 No change from 1905	2398 (+32 from 1905)	1.66451
1905	9 No change from 1904	2366 (+31 from 1904)	1.65185
1904	9 No change from 1903	2335 (+67 from 1903)	1.68588
1903	9 No change from 1902	2268 (-26 from 1902)	1.75376
1902	9 No change from 1901	2294 (+377 from 1901)	1.72806
1901	9 No change from 1900	1917 (-803 from 1900)	1.65842
1900	9 No change from 1899	2720 (+819 from 1899)	1.67773
1899	9 No change from 1898	1901 (-436 from 1898)	1.65026
1898	9 No change from 1897	2337 (+216 from 1897)	1.76913
1897	9 No change from 1896	2121 (-175 from 1896)	1.73935
1896	9 (+1 from 1895)	2296 (+93 from 1895)	1.77888
1895	10 (+1 from 1894)	2203 (+24 from 1894)	1.73955
1894	11 (-2 from 1893)	2179 (-130 from 1893)	1.74471
1893	9 (+2 from 1892)	2309 (-107 from 1892)	1.90762
1892	11 No change from 1891	2416 (+427 from 1891)	1.83793
1891	11 No change from 1890	1989 (-293 from 1890)	1.82035
1890	11 (-1 from 1889)	2282 (-17 from 1889)	1.90643
1889	10 (+1 from 1888)	2299 (-171 from 1888)	1.93141
1888	11 (-1 from 1887)	2470 (+345 from 1887)	1.90136
1887	10 (+1 from 1886)	2125 (-187 from 1886)	1.94399
1886	11 No change from 1885	2312 (+92 from 1885)	1.94219
1885	11 No change from 1884	2220 (-219 from 1884)	1.91470
1884	11 No change from 1883	2439 (+189 from 1883)	1.98716
1883	11 No change from 1882	2250 (-227 from 1882)	2.00044
1882	11 (-1 from 1881)	2477 (+300 from 1881)	2.02981
1881	10 (+1 from 1880)	2177 (-187 from 1880)	2.01060
1880	11 First SSA data recorded	2364 First SSA data recorded	1.99664

American States Popularity Rankings for Edward

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

#1602021

#1742022

#1772023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#1662021

#1682022

#1672023

California (CA)

#2272021

#2122022

#2042023

Illinois (IL)

#1842021

#1632022

#1832023

New Jersey (NJ)

#1962021

#1702022

#1842023

Massachusetts (MA)

#1242021

#1142022

#1232023

Ohio (OH)

#2122021

#1802022

#2282023

Texas (TX)

#2432021

#2672022

#2342023

Michigan (MI)

#1802021

#1932022

#2522023

North Carolina (NC)

#2142021

#3312022

#2172023

Virginia (VA)

#1732021

#1722022

#1602023

Connecticut (CT)

#1462021

#1782022

#1462023

Florida (FL)

#2262021

#2192022

#2462023

Missouri (MO)

#2032021

#2452022

#2322023

Georgia (GA)

#2832021

#3232022

#2562023

Maryland (MD)

#1672021

#1602022

#1522023

Wisconsin (WI)

#1872021

#1542022

#1822023

Indiana (IN)

#2782021

#2422022

#2872023

Louisiana (LA)

#2452021

#2222022

#2692023

Alabama (AL)

#2902021

#2112022

#1912023

Tennessee (TN)

#2422021

#2502022

#2292023

Kentucky (KY)

#2552021

#2282022

#2812023

South Carolina (SC)

#1692021

#1652022

#1422023

Minnesota (MN)

#2252021

#1442022

#1272023

Mississippi (MS)

#2162021

#3232022

#3182023

Washington (WA)

#2222021

#2452022

#2282023

Iowa (IA)

#2622021

#2382022

#3092023

West Virginia (WV)

#2132021

#3092022

#3132023

Oklahoma (OK)

#3722021

#3772022

#2652023

Colorado (CO)

#1932021

#1782022

#3072023

Arkansas (AR)

#3432021

#3242022

#2792023

Rhode Island (RI)

#1122020

#1182021

#2232023

Kansas (KS)

#2592021

#1612022

#2312023

Arizona (AZ)

#2762021

#2652022

#2352023

District of Columbia (DC)

#1472021

#1692022

#842023

Nebraska (NE)

#2222021

#2872022

#3012023

Oregon (OR)

#2302021

#2932022

#2572023

Maine (ME)

#1922021

#2102022

#2092023

New Mexico (NM)

#2722021

#2362022

#1352023

Hawaii (HI)

#1452020

#2022022

#2192023

New Hampshire (NH)

#1362021

#1722022

#1822023

Montana (MT)

#2322020

#1312021

#1682023

Delaware (DE)

#2102019

#2142022

#1202023

Utah (UT)

#3912021

#4102022

#3572023

North Dakota (ND)

#1462021

#2502022

#2582023

Vermont (VT)

#1142009

#1132014

#1352016

South Dakota (SD)

#2252019

#2362020

#2542022

Idaho (ID)

#4072020

#3682022

#3162023

Nevada (NV)

#3462021

#2002022

#1952023

Wyoming (WY)

#1662009

#1442010

#1592014

Alaska (AK)

#1372020

#1162022

#1572023

Popularity Rankings for Edward in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#242019

#292020

#292021

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories

#282010

#692011

#502012

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England

#311377-1381

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#462021

#622022

#542023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#572021

#572022

#732023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#972021

#1122022

#1772023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#1002016

#2352022

#2382023

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#1242021

#1202022

#1152023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#1762021

#1252022

#1452023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#1342020

#1612021

#1252022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#1992021

#1452022

#1522023

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#1642021

#1742022

#1712023

Popularity in Chile

Chile

#1912014

#1972016

#1752017

Popularity in Norway

Norway

#1812021

#3752022

#2192023

Popularity in France

France

#1931945

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#2062020

#2482021

#2642022

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#3772011

#3882012

#4502016

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#7182020

#7942021

#6442022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Edward a Name for Boys or Girls?

Edward is predominantly a name for boys. It has historically been more commonly given to males and is widely recognized as a masculine name. However, it’s not unheard of for girls to be named Edward, though it’s much less common.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Edward

Eadward
Eduard
Edouard

Eddie
Ned
Ted
Teddy

Eddy
Ed

Edward in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Edward Norton (Actor, born 1969): An acclaimed American actor known for his roles in films such as "Fight Club" and "American History X."
Edward Snowden (Whistleblower, born 1983): A former CIA employee who leaked classified information about government surveillance programs.
Edward Hopper (Painter, 1882–1967): An influential American realist painter known for his depictions of modern American life.
Edward VIII (King of the United Kingdom, 1894–1972): The British monarch who abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson.
Edward Elgar (Composer, 1857–1934): A renowned English composer famous for works like "Enigma Variations" and "Pomp and Circumstance Marches."
Edward Albee (Playwright, 1928–2016): An American playwright known for works such as "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
Edward R. Murrow (Journalist, 1908–1965): An influential American broadcast journalist and war correspondent.
Edward Jenner (Scientist, 1749–1823): An English physician and scientist who pioneered the smallpox vaccine.
Edward Said (Literary Critic, 1935–2003): A Palestinian-American scholar distinguished by his influential work in post-colonial studies.
Edward Teach (Pirate, c. 1680–1718): Infamously known as Blackbeard, an English pirate who instilled fear across the seas during the early 18th century.

Edward Cullen ("Twilight" series): A vampire who falls in love with a human girl, Bella Swan, sparking a supernatural romance.
Edward Elric ("Fullmetal Alchemist" manga/anime): A young alchemist on a quest to restore his brother's body after a failed alchemical experiment.
Edward Scissorhands (1990 Film): A gentle artificial man with scissors for hands, created by a mad inventor, struggles to find acceptance in a suburban community.
Edward Rochester ("Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë): The brooding and mysterious master of Thornfield Hall, who forms a complex relationship with the protagonist, Jane Eyre.
Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard (Historical figure): A notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies.
Edward Snowden (Contemporary figure): A former CIA employee who leaked classified information from the National Security Agency in 2013, exposing global surveillance programs.
Edward Norton ("Fight Club" 1999 Film): Portrays an unnamed protagonist who forms a fight club with a soap salesman, Tyler Durden, as a form of male bonding.
Edward Kenway ("Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag" video game): A pirate and assassin operating in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy, known for his skill with a cutlass.
Edward Hyde ("Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson): The alter ego of Dr. Henry Jekyll, representing the darker side of his personality, unleashed through a scientific experiment.
Edward Lewis ("Pretty Woman" 1990 Film): A wealthy businessman who hires a prostitute, Vivian Ward, to accompany him to social events, leading to an unexpected romance.

Edwardsville City (Illinois, USA): A vibrant city in southern Illinois with a historic downtown district.
Edward River (New South Wales, Australia): A major river in New South Wales, Australia, flowing through the city of Deniliquin.
Edward Island (Ontario, Canada): A small island in Lake Ontario, near Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Edwards County (Texas, USA): A county located in southwestern Texas, known for its ranching and outdoor recreational activities.
Edward Park (Queensland, Australia): A public park in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, offering scenic views of the Brisbane River.
Edward Lake (Alberta, Canada): A picturesque lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, popular for fishing and camping.
Edward Street (London, England): A street in central London, known for its historic buildings and proximity to major landmarks.
Edward Peak (California, USA): A prominent peak in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, California, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Edward Street (New York, USA): A street in Buffalo, New York, known for its cultural diversity and vibrant atmosphere.
Edwardstown City (South Australia, Australia): A suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, known for its multicultural community and industrial heritage.

Edwin
Edgar
Edmond
Eddison
Edric
Edmund
Edison
Eldon
Eduardo
Edgardo

Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: GreekTheodore
Alfred
Frederick
Richard
Raymond
Meaning: Resolute protector, strong-willed warrior
Origin: GermanicWilliam
Meaning: Defender or protector of man, warrior
Origin: GreekAlexander
Conrad
Meaning: Home ruler, ruler of the home, ruler of the homeland
Origin: Old French, GermanicHenry
Louis
Eric

Sibling Names for Edward

For a Brother
For a Sister

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The name Edward brings together tradition and strength. Like, share, and explore more names with me. Join the discussion!

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Edward Name Meaning