Girl · 22nd of 9,107
Edna
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
296,064
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
8,730
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Edna 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 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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
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
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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
Compare 1 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 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |