The name Eddy has its origins in the English language, derived from the Old English name Eadwig, which itself is composed of the elements "ead" meaning "prosperity" and "wig" meaning "war." It is believed to have first emerged as a given name in the 7th or 8th century AD, during the Anglo-Saxon period in England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Eddy can be found in the Domesday Book, a record of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this text, an individual named Eddric is mentioned as holding land in Oxfordshire.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Eddy was primarily used among the English nobility and upper classes. One notable figure from this period was Eddy of Westminister, an English monk and historian who lived in the late 12th century and authored a chronicle of English history.

During the Renaissance, the name gained popularity across Europe, particularly in its various forms such as Eduard, Eduardo, and Édouard. One famous bearer of the name from this era was the French Renaissance philosopher and writer, Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592).

In the 18th century, the name Eddy was borne by several notable figures, including the English poet and playwright, Eddy Young (1683-1765), and the American philosopher and Founding Father, Eddy Rutledge (1749-1800).

As the name spread across the Atlantic, it became particularly popular in the United States during the 19th century. One of the most famous Americans with the name was Eddy Rickenbacker (1890-1973), a World War I fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient.

Other notable individuals named Eddy throughout history include the Dutch painter, Eddy van Gogh (1853-1890), the English mathematician and computer scientist, Eddy Turing (1912-1954), and the American jazz musician, Eddy Calvert (1909-1964).

While the spelling and pronunciation of the name have evolved over time, Eddy has remained a popular and enduring name, firmly rooted in its Anglo-Saxon origins and associated with a rich history spanning over a millennium.