Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Edgar
BoyOld English· “rich spear”
- Meaning
- rich spear
- Origin
- Old English
- Pronunciation
- ED-gur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #486
- US babies 2025
- 617
- Best rank
- #51 (1881)
- Peak year
- 2005
Meaning and origin of Edgar
Edgar is an Old English name that means “rich spear”.
Edgar comes from the Old English Eadgar, formed from ead, meaning "wealth" or "fortune," and gar, meaning "spear." It was the name of Edgar the Peaceful, a tenth-century king of England, and it survived the Norman Conquest better than many Anglo-Saxon names. Shakespeare gave it to the loyal son of Gloucester in King Lear, and Sir Walter Scott used it in The Bride of Lammermoor. The American writer Edgar Allan Poe added a dark, romantic association. Today Edgar has a vintage, distinguished feel and is also widely used in Spanish-speaking countries. Ed and Eddie are traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Edgar has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #51 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 2005, when 2,454 were named Edgar. In 2025, 617 babies were named Edgar, and it ranked #486 nationally. That is 45% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #89 in 1920, #209 in 1950, #252 in 1980, #177 in 2000, #218 in 2010, and #486 in 2025. Of the 157,214 US boys named Edgar since records began, 14% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 22,215 babies. Since 2010, 15,958 more have been named Edgar.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ty, Hector, Cesar, Manuel, and Fernando.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Edgar ranked highest in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #249 | 150 |
| Arizona | #253 | 32 |
| New Mexico | #327 | 6 |
| Texas | #337 | 112 |
| Kansas | #361 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Edgar is usually pronounced ED-gur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-ar”.
Middle names for Edgar
A few middle names that flow with Edgar: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Edgar
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Lists that include Edgar
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Edgar mean?
Edgar is an Old English name that means “rich spear”.
What is the origin of the name Edgar?
Edgar has Old English roots. Edgar comes from the Old English Eadgar, formed from ead, meaning "wealth" or "fortune," and gar, meaning "spear." It was the name of Edgar the Peaceful, a tenth-century king of England, and it survived the Norman Conquest better than many Anglo-Saxon names.
Is Edgar a popular name?
Yes. Edgar ranked #486 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Edgar a boy or girl name?
Edgar is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Edgar?
Edgar is usually pronounced ED-gur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings