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

Popularity of Enid by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Enid is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 66 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Enid.

The history of the first name Enid

The name Enid is of Welsh origin, derived from the old Celtic word "Anhunidd" meaning "soul" or "life." It is believed to have originated in the 5th or 6th century CE, during the early medieval period in Wales.

One of the earliest known references to the name Enid can be found in the medieval Welsh tale "Geraint and Enid," which is a part of the Mabinogion collection of Welsh mythology. In this tale, Enid is the beautiful and patient wife of the knight Geraint.

The name gained popularity across Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions with Celtic influence. One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Enid was Enid Penardun, a 12th-century Welsh noblewoman who was the wife of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke.

In the 16th century, the name Enid was borne by Enid Vychan, a Welsh noblewoman who was the daughter of Sir John Vychan and the wife of Sir William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke. She lived from 1508 to 1563.

Another notable bearer of the name was Enid Mary Blyton, the famous English children's writer and author of popular series like Noddy and The Famous Five. She was born in 1897 and died in 1968.

In the world of literature, the name Enid appears in the works of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King," which is a retelling of the Arthurian legends. Tennyson's character Enid is depicted as a virtuous and faithful wife to the knight Geraint.

Enid Williams was a Welsh writer and artist who lived from 1895 to 1977. She was known for her contributions to Welsh literature and her illustrations for children's books.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Enid throughout history, highlighting its Welsh roots and its enduring presence in literature and culture.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!