Edward
Boy name · #224 in 2025 · Distinctive
How old is the name Edward? In official American birth records, Edward has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 1,591 baby boys were named Edward, placing it at #224 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #158, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 1,131 boys born in 2025 was named Edward.
The 145-year story
Edward first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 2,364 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1924, when 21,126 boys were named Edward — good for #9 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Edward per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Edward against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Edward in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Edward is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "distinctive". That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Edward is most common
Geography matters for names, and Edward is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Edward is most common in DC (4.4 per 1,000), ME (2.9 per 1,000), NH (2.7 per 1,000), WI (1.7 per 1,000), MA (1.6 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 1.1 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Edward is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Nicknames & related forms of Edward
Edward carries a whole family of nicknames and spellings — names that will feel like the same name in a classroom.
Counted as one name, the Edward family went to about 1,871 boys in 2025 — together they'd rank around #193, versus #224 for Edward alone.
Names like Edward
Statistically, parents drawn to Edward tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Richard, Leonard, Raymond, Walter, and Louis.
RichardLeonardRaymondWalterLouisWarrenGeorgeRoland
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Edward | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,591 | #224 |
| 2024 | 1,589 | #228 |
| 2023 | 1,737 | #213 |
| 2022 | 1,752 | #216 |
| 2021 | 1,749 | #218 |
| 2020 | 1,952 | #195 |
| 2019 | 2,054 | #192 |
| 2018 | 2,286 | #170 |
| 2017 | 2,328 | #169 |
| 2016 | 2,518 | #162 |
| 2015 | 2,602 | #158 |
| 2014 | 2,591 | #162 |
| 2013 | 2,711 | #145 |
| 2012 | 2,597 | #157 |
| 2011 | 2,671 | #148 |
| 2010 | 2,905 | #136 |
| 2009 | 2,988 | #137 |
| 2008 | 2,796 | #148 |
| 2007 | 2,828 | #145 |
| 2006 | 2,871 | #141 |
| 2005 | 2,975 | #134 |
| 2004 | 3,156 | #129 |
| 2003 | 3,114 | #130 |
| 2002 | 3,244 | #119 |
| 2001 | 3,376 | #113 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Edward?
In official American birth records, the name Edward first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 2,364 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Edward a popular boy name?
Edward ranked #224 among boys in 2025 with 1,591 babies given the name — inside the top 500: established but not ubiquitous. Ten years earlier it ranked #158.
When was the name Edward most popular?
Edward peaked in 1924, when 21,126 American boys received the name (ranked #9 that year). Since 1924 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Edward?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 1,131 newborn American boys was named Edward. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "distinctive".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.