boys' name · peaked 1924

Edward

From Middle English Edward, from Old English Ēadweard, from Proto-West Germanic *Audawardu, from Proto-Germanic *Audawarduz, corresponding to ed (“wealth, riches”) +…

Every Edward since 1880 — 1,308,955 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
6.2512.518.752518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#224
among boys
Babies in 2025
1,591
named Edward
Peak year
1924
21,223 babies
All-time total
1,308,955
since 1880

The story of Edward

Edward is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #224 in 2025 with 1,591 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 1,308,955 American babies have been named Edward. Its peak came in 1924, when 21,223 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

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 Edward stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Edward 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 1,591 #224
2024 1,589 #228
2023 1,737 #213
2022 1,752 #216
2021 1,749 #218
2020 1,952 #195
2019 2,054 #192
2018 2,286 #170
2017 2,328 #170
2016 2,518 #162
2015 2,602 #158
2014 5 #17,290 2,591 #162
2013 2,711 #145
2012 2,597 #157
2011 2,671 #148
2010 2,905 #136
2009 2,988 #137
2008 2,796 #148
2007 7 #14,336 2,828 #145
2006 2,871 #141
2005 2,975 #134
2004 10 #10,128 3,156 #129
2003 5 #16,499 3,114 #130
2002 6 #14,106 3,244 #119
2001 8 #11,319 3,376 #113
2000 11 #8,744 3,485 #108
1995 9 #8,980 4,143 #88
1990 19 #4,918 5,746 #68
1985 44 #2,295 5,869 #59
1980 61 #1,788 6,762 #52
1975 57 #1,676 7,381 #41
1970 62 #1,562 12,275 #31
1965 84 #1,170 14,404 #29
1960 70 #1,317 16,595 #26
1955 51 #1,409 19,280 #25
1950 61 #1,186 18,714 #22
1945 44 #1,192 15,870 #18
1940 45 #1,082 14,405 #16
1935 69 #823 13,844 #13
1930 102 #680 17,352 #10
1925 106 #715 20,090 #9
1920 64 #909 20,097 #8
1915 53 #907 15,889 #8
1910 18 #1,037 3,407 #9
1905 11 #1,185 2,366 #9
1900 8 #1,476 2,720 #9
1895 13 #903 2,203 #10
1890 13 #766 2,282 #11
1885 5 #1,086 2,220 #11
1880 2,364 #11

Famous people named Edward

  1. Edward Jenner Physician · 1749–1823
  2. Edward VI of England Politician · 1537–1553
  3. Edward III of England Politician · 1312–1377
  4. Edward I of England Politician · 1239–1307
  5. Edward V of England Politician · 1470–1483

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Edward mean?

From Middle English Edward, from Old English Ēadweard, from Proto-West Germanic *Audawardu, from Proto-Germanic *Audawarduz, corresponding to ed (“wealth, riches”) + ward (“ward, guard”), doublet of Eduard.

How popular is the name Edward in 2025?

Edward ranked #224 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,591 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Edward?

1,308,955 babies have been named Edward in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Edward most popular?

Edward peaked in 1924, when 21,223 newborns received the name.

Is Edward a boy or girl name?

Edward is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Edward rising or falling?

Edward is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Edward?

Well-known people named Edward include Edward Jenner (physician), Edward VI of England (politician), Edward III of England (politician).

Names like Edward

Compare Edward with similar names →