Edward
Say it: ED-wurd
BoyMeans usually explained as "rich guardian"6 letters2 syllables
#125
in Ireland (2025)
#131 with spellings combined
43
babies in 2025
#17
best rank (1965)
10,393
babies since 1964
Down 36
10-year rank change
Edward through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43 | #131 |
| 2024 | 36 | #143 |
| 2023 | 29 | #176 |
| 2022 | 55 | #115 |
| 2021 | 66 | #99 |
| 2020 | 69 | #90 |
| 2019 | 77 | #91 |
| 2018 | 78 | #89 |
| 2017 | 69 | #101 |
| 2016 | 81 | #90 |
| 2015 | 76 | #95 |
| 2014 | 71 | #106 |
| 2013 | 77 | #96 |
| 2012 | 84 | #95 |
| 2011 | 85 | #95 |
| 2010 | 73 | #100 |
| 2009 | 75 | #104 |
| 2008 | 85 | #93 |
| 2007 | 85 | #82 |
| 2006 | 57 | #111 |
| 2005 | 61 | #101 |
| 2004 | 63 | #95 |
| 2003 | 70 | #86 |
| 2002 | 62 | #89 |
| 2001 | 75 | #77 |
| 2000 | 65 | #81 |
| 1999 | 70 | #81 |
| 1998 | 58 | #79 |
| 1997 | 95 | #77 |
| 1996 | 86 | #80 |
| 1995 | 103 | #70 |
| 1994 | 104 | #64 |
| 1993 | 114 | #64 |
| 1992 | 107 | #69 |
| 1991 | 128 | #61 |
| 1990 | 149 | #54 |
| 1989 | 130 | #56 |
| 1988 | 147 | #50 |
| 1987 | 172 | #49 |
| 1986 | 191 | #47 |
| 1985 | 201 | #46 |
| 1984 | 212 | #47 |
| 1983 | 248 | #44 |
| 1982 | 252 | #44 |
| 1981 | 260 | #42 |
| 1980 | 272 | #44 |
| 1979 | 254 | #41 |
| 1978 | 281 | #32 |
| 1977 | 270 | #35 |
| 1976 | 302 | #32 |
| 1975 | 287 | #31 |
| 1974 | 347 | #25 |
| 1973 | 317 | #29 |
| 1972 | 349 | #21 |
| 1971 | 339 | #23 |
| 1970 | 362 | #23 |
| 1969 | 377 | #22 |
| 1968 | 374 | #22 |
| 1967 | 397 | #17 |
| 1966 | 423 | #17 |
| 1965 | 423 | #17 |
| 1964 | 425 | #18 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Edward mean?
Usually explained as "rich guardian"
English, from Old English Ēadweard, from ēad (wealth) and weard (guard).
Say it right
EDwurd
The story of Edward
Edward comes from the Old English name Ēadweard. It joins ēad, meaning wealth, fortune or prosperity, with weard, a guard or protector. It stayed in use after the Norman Conquest, helped by the fame of King Edward the Confessor. Many later English kings were called Edward, which kept it in fashion for centuries.
Edward was a common choice in Ireland in the 1960s, with 425 babies in 1964, and it reached number 17 in 1965. It has drifted down gradually since then, but it has never left the list, and it was given to 43 boys in 2025.
It has always been rarer in Northern Ireland, where its best place was number 104 in 1997.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Edward (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Edward
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
EdEddieNedTed
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Edward | 43 | 10,393 |
In Northern Ireland
#159 in 2025 with 14 babies. Best rank #104 (1997); 523 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.