Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Edna originates from Hebrew, meaning delight or pleasure, and has evolved through various languages. It is historically linked to the concept of renewal and has biblical roots. Edna is associated with warmth and kindness in modern culture, and it gained popularity in the 19th century. Notable figures with this name include poets and novelists.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛd.nə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Edna is derived from the Hebrew word 'ednah', which means 'delight' or 'pleasure'. It is often associated with the idea of renewal and rebirth.
Meaning
delight, pleasure, renewal, rebirth
Language Evolution
Hebrew: עדנה, Old French: Edne, Middle English: Edna
Biblical Background
Edna appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a woman mentioned in the Book of Tobit, which is part of the Apocrypha.
Historical Usage
Edna gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has remained a recognizable name since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Edna, Eddie, Neddy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Edna is viewed as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with qualities of warmth and kindness.
Famous People
Edna St. Vincent Millay, an American poet, Edna Ferber, an American novelist and playwright, Edna Mode, a fictional character from Pixar's The Incredibles
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,730 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (1 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 1 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1258th of 7545 | 522 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1763rd of 6773 | 306 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4028th of 7552 | 69 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 9331st of 10718 | 10 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 22nd of 9107 | 151,852 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 71st of 9204 | 63,109 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 207th of 12526 | 29,155 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 485th of 19264 | 6,623 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 934th of 27321 | 3,068 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1667th of 35406 | 1,929 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2097th of 30306 | 1,096 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
85.68% 2016th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
2.05% 29th/1416 |
2.76% 38th/1379 |
0.80% 19th/2366 |
2.98% 34th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
6.79% 105th/1546 |
6.88% 107th/1556 |
1.66% 39th/2353 |
7.11% 110th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
12.62% 281st/2227 |
10.99% 267th/2430 |
4.63% 132nd/2853 |
11.50% 319th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
18.79% 552nd/2937 |
15.27% 532nd/3483 |
10.52% 370th/3518 |
15.80% 639th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
26.57% 979th/3685 |
26.32% 1178th/4475 |
15.52% 806th/5194 |
14.83% 937th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
28.76% 1318th/4582 |
36.08% 1863rd/5164 |
23.55% 1722nd/7313 |
22.63% 1689th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
34.11% 1359th/3984 |
44.71% 2006th/4487 |
36.97% 2522nd/6822 |
45.94% 2883rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Kentucky across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for female in MidWest, falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1258th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1763rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4028th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 9331st out of 10718 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 22nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 71st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 207th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 485th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 934th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1667th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2097th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.