Origin, Meaning, And History of Edward
Edward is a masculine and regal name of Old English origin. It derives from the Old English word Ēadward, which comprises two elements: Ēad, meaning ‘fortune’ and ‘prosperity,’ and weard, meaning ‘guard.’ Therefore, the name Edward has a comprehensive meaning of ‘One who is a rich guard.’
Several Anglo-Saxon kings were named Edward in the 11th Century in England before the Norman conquest. King Edward, The Martyr, is speculated to be the first to bear this name. However, he was slain by his men and is today known as a saint. The last known king before the invasion was Saint Edward The Confessor, who ruled fairly and was popular among his people. To pay homage and keep his name alive in the hearts of the people, even after the invasion, several kings were named Edward, including Edward I, the son of Henry III.
Later, in the 15th Century, the name was adopted in the Iberian peninsula due to Edward, King of Portugal, who was born to an English mother. The name has been popular there ever since.
As the name traveled across the European continent, Spanish and Portuguese forms of the name sprouted, such as Duarte and Eduardo. Similarly, Édouard (French), Eduard (Czech, Dutch, German, and Romanian), and Edvard (Scandinavian) are some of the variations in different cultures. Interestingly, Italians have two versions, Odoardo and Edoardo.
If you want to call your little prince by a cute nickname, then Ed, Eddie, Ned, Ted, and Teddy are among good choices.
Edward is also a popular name for fictional characters in movies, literature, and series. The teen favorite vampire-fantasy romance novel and American movie, The Twilight Saga, has the main characterEdward Cullen. In the movie, the English actor Robert Pattinson played the character. The novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë, has a love interest of Jane namedEdward Fairfax Rochester. The children’s favorite cartoon series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends has a blue engine named Edward.
How To Pronounce Edward?
Famous People With The Name Edward
- Edward Higgins White IIAmerican astronaut who was a crew member of Apollo 1 and Gemini 4
- Edward F. FritschAmerican scientist who led the development of NeoVax, a cancer vaccine
- Edward MosbergPolish-American Holocaust survivor who was was awarded Poland’s highest civilian honor
- Edward Scott BozekAmerican épée fencer who was US Champion in épée in 1973 and 1975
- Edward W. HardyAmerican musician who composed the soundtrack for the Off-Broadway show The Woodsman
- Edward Harrison NortonAmerican actor who won Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for Primal Fear (1996)
- Edward Arthur KillyAmerican director who was nominated for the short-lived Academy Award for Best Assistant Director
Edward On The Popularity Chart
Let us take a look at the graphs by the Social Security Administration to better understand the popularity associated with Edward.
Popularity Over Time
Initially, there was an uproar among parents to name their children Edward. However, as decades passed, the interest in the name reduced to only 1739 babies per million in 2021.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
During the 1980s, its rank was marginally higher than it is today. For example, in 1983, it ranked at 12,125th, whereas in 2021, it ranked at 17,761st.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Edward
Liked how the name feels when pronounced but want a name that has a more intriguing presence in the modern world? Here are some names for you.
Popular Sibling Names For Edward
Other Popular Names Beginning With E
Names With Similar Meaning As Edward
Did the royal significance of guardian as the meaning of Edward fascinate you, but you still want more names? Here are some names below.
正ographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
edward
In Sign Language
edward
In Braille Alphabet
edward
In Morse Code
edward
Name Numerology For Edward
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Edward?
The name Edward means ‘one who is a rich guard.’
2. What is the origin of the name Edward?
Edward has an Old English origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Edward?
Edward is pronounced as edh-ward.
4. What are some middle names that go well with Edward?
The name Edwards reflects a person belonging to the nobility or rich background. Hence, masculine names that reflect strength and courage could merge well with Edward, besides adding to the royal and rich vibe of the name. Some famous examples includeBernard,Gabriel,Hardy,Leonard,King, andRicky.
5. What is the historical significance of the name Edward?
Edward has strong historical connections, for being associated with various royal figures. Edward, I was the King of England known for a series of legal and administrative reforms to improve governance. Secondly, Edward IV was the King of England who led the War of Roses (one of the civil wars in England) and achieved the Yorkist claim (1). Lastly, Edward VI was proclaimed the King of England at nine, who ruled shortly from 1547 to 1553 (2).
6. How does Edward rank in popularity compared to other baby names?
As per the data provided by the Social Security Administration, Edward was ranked 216th on the list of the most popular male names in the US for 2022 (3).
References:
- Edward IV of England.
https://ehistory.osu.edu/biographies/edward-iv - Edward VI (r.1547-1553).
https://www.royal.uk/edward-vi - Popularity of name Edward.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
