The name Edith is an Old English name derived from the Germanic words "ead" meaning "prosperous" or "rich" and "hild" meaning "battle" or "war". The combined meaning is often interpreted as "prosperous in battle" or "rich warrior". The name first emerged in the 7th century AD in what is now England.

The name gained popularity during the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain and was borne by several early English nobles and royalty, including Edith of Wessex, the queen consort of King Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. The name can also be found in early Christian texts and legends, such as the 9th-century story of St. Edith of Polesworth, a nun who founded a monastery in Warwickshire, England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Edith of Mercia, a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon princess and daughter of King Eadwulf of Mercia. Another notable early bearer of the name was Edith of Wilton, a 10th-century abbess and daughter of King Edward the Elder.

In the 12th century, the name was held by Edith Plantagenet, the daughter of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was also known as Edith of Normandy and was a Benedictine nun.

The name Edith continued to be popular among the nobility and aristocracy throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. Some notable examples include Edith of Campdavaine, a 13th-century French noblewoman and daughter of William de Forz, and Edith of Wilton, a 14th-century English nun and writer.

During the Victorian era, the name experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in England and the United States. This was likely due to the influence of literary figures such as the English novelist Edith Wharton (1862-1937) and the American poet Edith Matilda Thomas (1854-1925).

Other famous bearers of the name throughout history include Edith Stein (1891-1942), a German Jewish philosopher and Catholic convert who was canonized as a saint; Edith Piaf (1915-1963), the renowned French singer and cultural icon; and Edith Wilson (1872-1961), the second wife of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson who acted as a steward and de facto president during the final years of her husband's administration due to his illness.