Ed
A diminutive of Edward, Edgar, Edwin, or other male given names beginning with Ed-.
Every Ed since 1880 — 26,370 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ed
Ed is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 26,370 American babies have been named Ed. Its peak came in 1959, when 696 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ed stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ed year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | 9 | #8,508 |
| 2023 | — | — | 5 | #12,741 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | 8 | #9,052 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | 9 | #8,390 |
| 2018 | — | — | 11 | #7,263 |
| 2017 | — | — | 7 | #9,979 |
| 2016 | — | — | 8 | #9,078 |
| 2015 | — | — | 8 | #8,973 |
| 2014 | — | — | 6 | #11,108 |
| 2013 | — | — | 7 | #9,946 |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | 9 | #8,260 |
| 2010 | — | — | 14 | #6,133 |
| 2009 | — | — | 15 | #5,888 |
| 2008 | — | — | 9 | #8,492 |
| 2007 | — | — | 12 | #6,753 |
| 2006 | — | — | 12 | #6,579 |
| 2005 | — | — | 12 | #6,338 |
| 2004 | — | — | 15 | #5,322 |
| 2003 | — | — | 21 | #4,018 |
| 2002 | — | — | 20 | #4,078 |
| 2001 | — | — | 21 | #3,881 |
| 2000 | — | — | 19 | #4,102 |
| 1995 | — | — | 24 | #2,952 |
| 1990 | — | — | 24 | #2,720 |
| 1985 | — | — | 28 | #2,033 |
| 1980 | — | — | 40 | #1,528 |
| 1975 | — | — | 46 | #1,263 |
| 1970 | — | — | 127 | #730 |
| 1965 | — | — | 307 | #441 |
| 1960 | — | — | 644 | #308 |
| 1955 | — | — | 188 | #540 |
| 1950 | — | — | 164 | #521 |
| 1945 | — | — | 312 | #338 |
| 1940 | — | — | 250 | #362 |
| 1935 | — | — | 243 | #352 |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,457 | 232 | #373 |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,768 | 255 | #373 |
| 1920 | 8 | #3,707 | 309 | #331 |
| 1915 | 10 | #2,749 | 321 | #274 |
| 1910 | — | — | 229 | #140 |
| 1905 | — | — | 190 | #111 |
| 1900 | — | — | 297 | #87 |
| 1895 | — | — | 229 | #84 |
| 1890 | — | — | 262 | #70 |
| 1885 | — | — | 328 | #54 |
| 1880 | — | — | 310 | #55 |
Famous people named Ed
- Ed Gein Extremist · 1906–1984
- Ed Harris Actor · b. 1950
- Ed O'Neill Actor · b. 1946
- Ed Wood Film director · 1924–1978
- Áed mac Cináeda Politician · 858–878
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ed mean?
A diminutive of Edward, Edgar, Edwin, or other male given names beginning with Ed-.
How popular is the name Ed in 2025?
Ed did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Ed?
26,370 babies have been named Ed in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ed most popular?
Ed peaked in 1959, when 696 newborns received the name.
Is Ed a boy or girl name?
Ed is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ed rising or falling?
Ed is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ed?
Well-known people named Ed include Ed Gein (extremist), Ed Harris (actor), Ed O'Neill (actor).