Edward Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Edward Name Meaning

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

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

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
A Deep Dive

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

  • Edward River
    (New South Wales, Australia)
  • Edward Lake
    (Alberta, Canada)
  • King Edward Street
    (London, England)
  • Edward Street
    (New York, USA)

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

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Edward

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023213
(+3 from 2022)
1723
(-24 from 2022)
0.09409
2022216
(+2 from 2021)
1747
(+1 from 2021)
0.09327
2021218
(-23 from 2020)
1746
(-203 from 2020)
0.09319
2020195
(-3 from 2019)
1949
(-103 from 2019)
0.10537
2019192
(-22 from 2018)
2052
(-233 from 2018)
0.10678
2018170
No change from 2017
2285
(-42 from 2017)
0.11756
2017170
(-8 from 2016)
2327
(-188 from 2016)
0.11758
2016162
(-3 from 2015)
2515
(-86 from 2015)
0.12416
2015159
(+2 from 2014)
2601
(+10 from 2014)
0.12722
2014161
(-16 from 2013)
2591
(-118 from 2013)
0.12644
2013145
(+12 from 2012)
2709
(+115 from 2012)
0.13406
2012157
(-9 from 2011)
2594
(-75 from 2011)
0.12783
2011148
(-12 from 2010)
2669
(-236 from 2010)
0.13139
2010136
(+1 from 2009)
2905
(-80 from 2009)
0.14140
2009137
(+11 from 2008)
2985
(+191 from 2008)
0.14074
2008148
(-3 from 2007)
2794
(-31 from 2007)
0.12814
2007145
(-4 from 2006)
2825
(-45 from 2006)
0.12754
2006141
(-7 from 2005)
2870
(-103 from 2005)
0.13091
2005134
(-5 from 2004)
2973
(-179 from 2004)
0.13975
2004129
(+1 from 2003)
3152
(+38 from 2003)
0.14915
2003130
(-11 from 2002)
3114
(-130 from 2002)
0.14820
2002119
(-6 from 2001)
3244
(-132 from 2001)
0.15697
2001113
(-5 from 2000)
3376
(-109 from 2000)
0.16322
2000108
(-5 from 1999)
3485
(-112 from 1999)
0.16688
1999103
(+2 from 1998)
3597
(+22 from 1998)
0.17641
1998105
(-5 from 1997)
3575
(-340 from 1997)
0.17631
1997100
(-4 from 1996)
3915
(-158 from 1996)
0.19597
199696
(-8 from 1995)
4073
(-70 from 1995)
0.20327
199588
(-4 from 1994)
4143
(-377 from 1994)
0.20598
199484
(-6 from 1993)
4520
(-270 from 1993)
0.22175
199378
(-8 from 1992)
4790
(-441 from 1992)
0.23190
199270
(-2 from 1991)
5231
(-341 from 1991)
0.24919
199168
No change from 1990
5572
(-174 from 1990)
0.26287
199068
(-6 from 1989)
5746
(-104 from 1989)
0.26700
198962
No change from 1988
5850
(+50 from 1988)
0.27911
198862
(-1 from 1987)
5800
(-110 from 1987)
0.28967
198761
No change from 1986
5910
(+132 from 1986)
0.30304
198661
(-2 from 1985)
5778
(-92 from 1985)
0.30067
198559
(-1 from 1984)
5870
(-44 from 1984)
0.30503
198458
(-3 from 1983)
5914
(-91 from 1983)
0.31513
198355
(-2 from 1982)
6005
(-277 from 1982)
0.32223
198253
(-2 from 1981)
6282
(-378 from 1981)
0.33288
198151
(+1 from 1980)
6660
(-105 from 1980)
0.35761
198052
(-4 from 1979)
6765
(-110 from 1979)
0.36474
197948
(-1 from 1978)
6875
(+395 from 1978)
0.38379
197847
No change from 1977
6480
(-360 from 1977)
0.37926
197747
(-2 from 1976)
6840
(-209 from 1976)
0.40015
197645
(-4 from 1975)
7049
(-332 from 1975)
0.43177
197541
(-1 from 1974)
7381
(-439 from 1974)
0.45494
197440
(-1 from 1973)
7820
(-540 from 1973)
0.47968
197339
(-5 from 1972)
8360
(-933 from 1972)
0.51808
197234
(-2 from 1971)
9293
(-1767 from 1971)
0.55512
197132
(-1 from 1970)
11060
(-1221 from 1970)
0.60841
197031
(+1 from 1969)
12281
(-169 from 1969)
0.64475
196932
(-1 from 1968)
12450
(+171 from 1968)
0.68064
196831
No change from 1967
12279
(-376 from 1967)
0.69160
196731
(-1 from 1966)
12655
(-620 from 1966)
0.71118
196630
(-1 from 1965)
13275
(-1135 from 1965)
0.73035
196529
(-2 from 1964)
14410
(-1196 from 1964)
0.76058
196427
No change from 1963
15606
(+290 from 1963)
0.76989
196327
(+2 from 1962)
15316
(-202 from 1962)
0.74183
196229
No change from 1961
15518
(-359 from 1961)
0.73836
196129
(-3 from 1960)
15877
(-713 from 1960)
0.73607
196026
(+1 from 1959)
16590
(-316 from 1959)
0.76616
195927
(+1 from 1958)
16906
(-470 from 1958)
0.78035
195828
(-3 from 1957)
17376
(-1335 from 1957)
0.80636
195725
No change from 1956
18711
(-727 from 1956)
0.85481
195625
No change from 1955
19438
(+161 from 1955)
0.90568
195525
(-3 from 1954)
19277
(-220 from 1954)
0.92223
195422
(+1 from 1953)
19497
(+515 from 1953)
0.94228
195323
No change from 1952
18982
(-522 from 1952)
0.94805
195223
No change from 1951
19504
(-409 from 1951)
0.98840
195123
(-1 from 1950)
19913
(+1198 from 1950)
1.04165
195022
(-1 from 1949)
18715
(-457 from 1949)
1.02897
194921
(-2 from 1948)
19172
(+191 from 1948)
1.06393
194819
No change from 1947
18981
(-1559 from 1947)
1.06470
194719
No change from 1946
20540
(+1957 from 1946)
1.10574
194619
(-1 from 1945)
18583
(+2714 from 1945)
1.12598
194518
No change from 1944
15869
(-613 from 1944)
1.15710
194418
No change from 1943
16482
(-1231 from 1943)
1.18647
194318
(-1 from 1942)
17713
(+245 from 1942)
1.21771
194217
No change from 1941
17468
(+1886 from 1941)
1.24036
194117
(-1 from 1940)
15582
(+1178 from 1940)
1.24173
194016
(-1 from 1939)
14404
(-22 from 1939)
1.21433
193915
(-2 from 1938)
14426
(-123 from 1938)
1.27291
193813
No change from 1937
14549
(-384 from 1937)
1.28017
193713
No change from 1936
14933
(+741 from 1936)
1.36544
193613
No change from 1935
14192
(+348 from 1935)
1.33346
193513
No change from 1934
13844
(-73 from 1934)
1.29432
193413
(-2 from 1933)
13917
(+120 from 1933)
1.31053
193311
No change from 1932
13797
(-1395 from 1932)
1.35239
193211
No change from 1931
15192
(-453 from 1931)
1.41395
193111
(-1 from 1930)
15645
(-1705 from 1930)
1.46246
193010
No change from 1929
17350
(+129 from 1929)
1.53606
192910
No change from 1928
17221
(-1271 from 1928)
1.55479
192810
No change from 1927
18492
(-622 from 1927)
1.62045
192710
No change from 1926
19114
(-261 from 1926)
1.64504
192610
(-1 from 1925)
19375
(-715 from 1925)
1.69149
19259
No change from 1924
20090
(-1036 from 1924)
1.74480
19249
(-1 from 1923)
21126
(+529 from 1923)
1.80714
19238
No change from 1922
20597
(+178 from 1922)
1.81908
19228
No change from 1921
20419
(-398 from 1921)
1.81470
19218
No change from 1920
20817
(+720 from 1920)
1.82937
19208
No change from 1919
20097
(+1561 from 1919)
1.82570
19198
No change from 1918
18536
(-953 from 1918)
1.82562
19188
No change from 1917
19489
(+1988 from 1917)
1.85848
19178
No change from 1916
17501
(+496 from 1916)
1.82434
19168
No change from 1915
17005
(+1116 from 1915)
1.84188
19158
No change from 1914
15889
(+3570 from 1914)
1.80367
19148
No change from 1913
12319
(+2845 from 1913)
1.80282
19138
No change from 1912
9474
(+1538 from 1912)
1.76672
19128
(+1 from 1911)
7936
(+3772 from 1911)
1.75787
19119
No change from 1910
4164
(+757 from 1910)
1.72497
19109
No change from 1909
3407
(+472 from 1909)
1.63393
19099
No change from 1908
2935
(+228 from 1908)
1.65948
19089
No change from 1907
2707
(+131 from 1907)
1.62713
19079
No change from 1906
2576
(+178 from 1906)
1.62438
19069
No change from 1905
2398
(+32 from 1905)
1.66451
19059
No change from 1904
2366
(+31 from 1904)
1.65185
19049
No change from 1903
2335
(+67 from 1903)
1.68588
19039
No change from 1902
2268
(-26 from 1902)
1.75376
19029
No change from 1901
2294
(+377 from 1901)
1.72806
19019
No change from 1900
1917
(-803 from 1900)
1.65842
19009
No change from 1899
2720
(+819 from 1899)
1.67773
18999
No change from 1898
1901
(-436 from 1898)
1.65026
18989
No change from 1897
2337
(+216 from 1897)
1.76913
18979
No change from 1896
2121
(-175 from 1896)
1.73935
18969
(+1 from 1895)
2296
(+93 from 1895)
1.77888
189510
(+1 from 1894)
2203
(+24 from 1894)
1.73955
189411
(-2 from 1893)
2179
(-130 from 1893)
1.74471
18939
(+2 from 1892)
2309
(-107 from 1892)
1.90762
189211
No change from 1891
2416
(+427 from 1891)
1.83793
189111
No change from 1890
1989
(-293 from 1890)
1.82035
189011
(-1 from 1889)
2282
(-17 from 1889)
1.90643
188910
(+1 from 1888)
2299
(-171 from 1888)
1.93141
188811
(-1 from 1887)
2470
(+345 from 1887)
1.90136
188710
(+1 from 1886)
2125
(-187 from 1886)
1.94399
188611
No change from 1885
2312
(+92 from 1885)
1.94219
188511
No change from 1884
2220
(-219 from 1884)
1.91470
188411
No change from 1883
2439
(+189 from 1883)
1.98716
188311
No change from 1882
2250
(-227 from 1882)
2.00044
188211
(-1 from 1881)
2477
(+300 from 1881)
2.02981
188110
(+1 from 1880)
2177
(-187 from 1880)
2.01060
188011
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)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1602021#1742022#1772023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1662021#1682022#1672023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2272021#2122022#2042023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1842021#1632022#1832023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1962021#1702022#1842023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1242021#1142022#1232023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2122021#1802022#2282023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2432021#2672022#2342023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1802021#1932022#2522023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2142021#3312022#2172023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1732021#1722022#1602023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1462021#1782022#1462023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2262021#2192022#2462023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2032021#2452022#2322023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2832021#3232022#2562023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1672021#1602022#1522023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1872021#1542022#1822023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2782021#2422022#2872023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2452021#2222022#2692023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#2902021#2112022#1912023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2422021#2502022#2292023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2552021#2282022#2812023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1692021#1652022#1422023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2252021#1442022#1272023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2162021#3232022#3182023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2222021#2452022#2282023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2622021#2382022#3092023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2132021#3092022#3132023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3722021#3772022#2652023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1932021#1782022#3072023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3432021#3242022#2792023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1122020#1182021#2232023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2592021#1612022#2312023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2762021#2652022#2352023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1472021#1692022#842023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2222021#2872022#3012023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2302021#2932022#2572023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1922021#2102022#2092023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2722021#2362022#1352023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1452020#2022022#2192023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1362021#1722022#1822023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2322020#1312021#1682023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2102019#2142022#1202023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3912021#4102022#3572023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1462021#2502022#2582023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1142009#1132014#1352016

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2252019#2362020#2542022

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4072020#3682022#3162023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3462021#2002022#1952023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1662009#1442010#1592014

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (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 flagEngland and Wales#242019#292020#292021

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#282010#692011#502012

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England flagMedieval England#311377-1381

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#462021#622022#542023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#572021#572022#732023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#972021#1122022#1772023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1002016#2352022#2382023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#1242021#1202022#1152023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1762021#1252022#1452023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1342020#1612021#1252022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1992021#1452022#1522023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1642021#1742022#1712023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1912014#1972016#1752017

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1812021#3752022#2192023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1931945

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2062020#2482021#2642022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3772011#3882012#4502016

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#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

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.
  • Edward River (New South Wales, Australia): A major river in New South Wales, Australia, flowing through the city of Deniliquin.
  • Edward Lake (Alberta, Canada): A picturesque lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, popular for fishing and camping.
  • King Edward Street (London, England): A street in central London, known for its historic buildings and proximity to major landmarks.
  • Edward Street (New York, USA): A street in Buffalo, New York, known for its cultural diversity and vibrant atmosphere.

Similar Names to Edward