Edward
How to say it: ED-wurd · /ˈɛdwərd/
From Old English 'ead' (wealth, fortune) and 'weard' (guard); meaning 'wealthy guardian'.
Edward was the 241st most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,591 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are down about 38% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #286 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #241 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 1,591 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,035 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | −38% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #286 |
| In France, 2025 | #539 among boys’ names, 60 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long ago in the 1880s Edward stood at its peak. Far below that height today and getting rarer, it is expected to slip further.
What goes with it
Firm and crisp sounding, Edward carries royal and saintly associations with a strong feel. Henry shares its style and Ned is a classic short form.
Middle names that flow with Edward →
Nicknames
- Ed
- Eddie
- Ned
- Ted
- Teddy
Other spellings
Honouring a Edward in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Edward is about 1 in 85.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, English, Finnish, French, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Welsh.
In France: #539 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #31. Ireland: #125.
Famous people named Edward
- Edward Snowden (born 1983)American whistleblower and former NSA contractor
- Edward Jenner (1749–1823)English physician, scientist and pioneer of vaccination
- Edward VIII (1894–1972)King of the United Kingdom in 1936
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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