Ned
Ned is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Wealthy guardian or prosperous protector, deriving from its roots Edward or Edmund.
Origin and history
Ned originated as an English diminutive of Edward or Edmund, arising from the re-bracketing of phrases like 'mine Ed'. Historically common as an independent given name, its popularity in the U.S. peaked in the early-to-mid 20th century and has since become relatively rare.
Popularity in the United States
17,292 babies in the United States have been named Ned since 1880. It ranks #895 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1861.
States where it is most popular
- OH (12.2 %)
- PA (8.9 %)
- NC (8 %)
- IN (5.6 %)
- NY (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 285 |
| 1890-1900 | 350 |
| 1900-1910 | 367 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,877 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,850 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,710 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,786 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,596 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,533 |
| 1970-1980 | 777 |
| 1980-1990 | 513 |
| 1990-2000 | 281 |
| 2000-2010 | 178 |
| 2010-2019 | 123 |
| 2020-2029 | 66 |
Famous people named Ned
- Ned Beatty: Actor
- Ned Rorem: Composer, Author
Fun facts
- The initial 'N' comes from Middle English possessive pronouns like 'mine', transforming 'mine Ed' into 'my Ned'.
- The name appears prominently in literature and pop culture, notably as Ned Land in Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.