Edward
Edward is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Wealthy guardian or protector of fortune.
Origin and history
Edward is a classic Old English name derived from components meaning wealth or fortune and guard. It has been borne by numerous royal figures throughout British history and remains a steadfast, well-recognized choice in the United States. Ranking among the top 20 most popular male names historically in the U.S., it continues to see steady modern use.
Popularity in the United States
1,303,594 babies in the United States have been named Edward since 1880. It ranks #20 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #215.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.4 %)
- PA (9.9 %)
- CA (6.7 %)
- IL (6.5 %)
- NJ (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 23,133 |
| 1890-1900 | 22,033 |
| 1900-1910 | 24,516 |
| 1910-1920 | 125,720 |
| 1920-1930 | 197,348 |
| 1930-1940 | 147,849 |
| 1940-1950 | 174,801 |
| 1950-1960 | 188,323 |
| 1960-1970 | 143,984 |
| 1970-1980 | 83,425 |
| 1980-1990 | 60,832 |
| 1990-2000 | 45,164 |
| 2000-2010 | 30,833 |
| 2010-2019 | 25,263 |
| 2020-2029 | 10,370 |
Famous people named Edward
- Edward Norton: Actor, Filmmaker
- Edward Elgar: Composer
- Edward Hopper: Painter
Nicknames
Ed, Eddie, Ned, Ted, Teddy
Fun facts
- Edward is one of the few Old English names to survive the Norman Conquest and maintain continuous popularity through centuries of British royalty.
- With over 1.3 million births recorded in the U.S. since 1880, Edward ranks among the 20 most frequently used male names in American history.