Boy · 276th of 7,545
Ed
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
26,372
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
696
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Ed stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Ed originates from the Old English term 'Ead', meaning wealth or fortune. It has evolved from historical forms like Ead and Eadward to its current usage. It is commonly perceived as friendly and approachable, with notable figures like Ed Sheeran and Ed Harris contributing to its popularity. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ɛd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Ed is derived from the Old English name 'Ead', which means 'wealth' or 'fortune'. It is often a diminutive of names like Edward or Edmund.
Meaning
wealth, fortune
Language Evolution
Ead (Old English), Eadward (Old English), Edmund (Old English), Ed (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Ed gained popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, as a standalone name and as a short form of longer names.
Variants & Derivatives
Edward, Edmund, Eddie, Eddy
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Ed is viewed as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with a casual and down-to-earth personality.
Famous People
Ed Sheeran, Ed Harris, Ed Begley Jr., Ed McMahon
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 696 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 42 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 276th of 7545 | 6,434 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 350th of 6773 | 4,759 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 388th of 7552 | 7,014 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 795th of 10718 | 1,665 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2427th of 16616 | 419 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5344th of 24088 | 238 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 9776th of 23106 | 78 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3527th of 9107 | 120 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5791st of 9204 | 35 |