Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Ed since 1880
Babies named Ed per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ed's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,957 |
| 1890s | 2,346 |
| 1900s | 1,814 |
| 1910s | 2,705 |
| 1920s | 2,668 |
| 1930s | 2,560 |
| 1940s | 3,041 |
| 1950s | 2,952 |
| 1960s | 3,779 |
| 1970s | 608 |
| 1980s | 314 |
| 1990s | 204 |
| 2000s | 156 |
| 2010s | 79 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Ed is a concise and sturdy short form of Edward, a name with deep English royal roots. Its peak year was 1885, and the name has been on a downward trend since 1985, reflecting a broader shift away from clipped nicknames as given names. Because the name's rank and one-in-N data are not available for recent years, it is difficult to gauge current popularity, but its trajectory suggests it is much less common today than in its late 19th-century heyday. Ed was first recorded in Social Security data in 1880, the earliest year of available data. As a standalone name, Ed sidesteps the formality of Edward while retaining an old-fashioned, straightforward charm.
Ed is a common nickname for Edward, which derives from Old English Ēadweard, composed of ēad (wealth, fortune) and weard (guard). Historically, Edward was borne by several Anglo-Saxon kings and later by eight English monarchs, solidifying the name's prestige. Ed became an independent given name in the 19th century.
Where Ed is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eddie, Eddy
Sibling names for Ed
Names that share Ed's style, for a brother or sister.
