Find out how popular the first name Ed has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ed by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ed is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ed.

The history of the first name Ed

The name Ed is a shortened version of the Old English name Edward, which itself is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ead" meaning "prosperous" or "rich" and "weard" meaning "guard" or "protector." It can be traced back to the 9th century and was originally used by the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Ed is found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which mentions an Ed who was a nobleman in the court of King Alfred the Great in the late 9th century. The name also appears in various medieval texts and records from England and other parts of Europe.

In the 12th century, an English monk named Ed of Aylesbury gained fame for his writings on religious matters. Another notable figure was Ed the Outlaw, a 13th-century English folk hero who was known for his daring exploits and his battles against the Norman rulers of England at the time.

During the Renaissance period, Ed was a common name among the English gentry and aristocracy. One famous bearer of the name was Ed Howard, the 1st Earl of Nottingham, who lived from 1536 to 1624 and served as Lord High Admiral under Queen Elizabeth I.

In more recent history, Ed Ricketts was an American marine biologist and philosopher who lived from 1897 to 1948 and was a close friend of the writer John Steinbeck. Steinbeck based several characters in his novels on Ricketts, including the character Ed Wicks in the novel "Cannery Row."

Another well-known Ed was Ed Sullivan, the American television personality and host of the long-running variety show "The Ed Sullivan Show." He lived from 1901 to 1974 and played a significant role in introducing many popular musical acts and performers to a national audience.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ed was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ed, please contact us.

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