Find out how popular the first name Eider has been for the last 9 years (from 2016 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Eider by gender

Based on the last 9 years of data, Eider is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Eider being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 217 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Eider.

The history of the first name Eider

The name Eider is derived from the Old Norse word "æðr," which refers to a type of sea duck known as the eider duck. The eider duck is a large sea duck that is found in the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.

This name has its origins in the Norse culture of Scandinavia and was likely used as a personal name during the Viking Age, which lasted from the late 8th century to the late 11th century. The Vikings were known for their seafaring and exploration, and it is possible that the name Eider was given to individuals who were associated with the sea or the hunting of eider ducks.

In the 13th century, the name Eider appeared in the Icelandic Sagas, which were written accounts of the exploits of Norse settlers in Iceland. One of the most famous examples is the Saga of Burnt Njal, where a character named Eider is mentioned.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Eider. One of the earliest recorded examples is Eider Magnusson (1268-1344), who was a Norse chieftain and one of the leaders of the Icelandic Commonwealth.

Another notable person with this name was Eider Gudmundsson (1554-1628), an Icelandic scholar and poet who is considered one of the most important figures in Icelandic literature during the 16th century.

In the 19th century, Eider Valgardsson (1819-1899) was a prominent Icelandic politician and writer who served as the Prime Minister of Iceland from 1876 to 1878.

More recently, Eider Guðjónsson (1917-1998) was an Icelandic writer and poet who is considered one of the most important literary figures in Iceland in the 20th century.

Lastly, Eider Ólafur Þorsteinsson (born 1971) is a contemporary Icelandic actor and director who has appeared in several films and television shows.

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 Eider was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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