Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Edward
BoyEnglish, Old English· “wealthy guardian”
- Meaning
- wealthy guardian
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- EHD-wurd
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #224
- US babies 2025
- 1,591
- Best rank
- #8 (1912)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Edward
Edward is an English and Old English name that means “wealthy guardian”.
Edward is an Old English name formed from ead, "wealth, fortune," and weard, "guardian." It was borne by Anglo-Saxon kings, including Edward the Confessor, who was later venerated as a saint and whose reputation kept the name in use after the Norman Conquest. Eight kings of England and Britain since then have been named Edward. The name is solidly traditional but flexible, with a long list of nicknames: Ed, Eddie, Ned, Ted and Teddy. It has a gentlemanly, bookish image and has recently gained fresh appeal alongside other classic royal names. It also fits easily in many languages, as Eduardo, Edouard and Edvard.
Other spellings with the same sound: Eduard.
Popularity over time
Edward 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 #8 in 1912, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 21,126 were named Edward. In 2025, 1,591 babies were named Edward, and it ranked #224 nationally. That is 39% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #8 in 1920, #22 in 1950, #52 in 1980, #108 in 2000, #136 in 2010, and #224 in 2025. Of the 1,303,594 US boys named Edward since records began, 15% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 188,323 babies. Since 2010, 35,633 more have been named Edward.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Harold and Raymond.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Edward ranked highest in District of Columbia, Maine, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #78 | 11 |
| Maine | #120 | 11 |
| New Hampshire | #122 | 12 |
| Massachusetts | #158 | 44 |
| Maryland | #159 | 37 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Edward is usually pronounced EHD-wurd, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with E and ends in “-rd”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Eduard.
Middle names for Edward
A few middle names that flow with Edward: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Edward
Similar names
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Lists that include Edward
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Edward mean?
Edward is an English and Old English name that means “wealthy guardian”.
What is the origin of the name Edward?
Edward has English and Old English roots. Edward is an Old English name formed from ead, "wealth, fortune," and weard, "guardian." It was borne by Anglo-Saxon kings, including Edward the Confessor, who was later venerated as a saint and whose reputation kept the name in use after the Norman Conquest.
Is Edward a popular name?
Yes. Edward ranked #224 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Edward a boy or girl name?
Edward is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Edward?
Edward is usually pronounced EHD-wurd. 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