Declining since 2018, #867 for boys today.
Popularity of Edison since 1891
Babies named Edison per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 63 |
| 1900s | 99 |
| 1910s | 649 |
| 1920s | 771 |
| 1930s | 502 |
| 1940s | 470 |
| 1950s | 543 |
| 1960s | 434 |
| 1970s | 337 |
| 1980s | 421 |
| 1990s | 610 |
| 2000s | 1,555 |
| 2010s | 3,936 |
| 2020s | 2,132 |
Meaning & origin
Edison first appeared on the U.S. naming charts in 1891, around the time Thomas Edison was at the peak of his fame. After a long period of obscurity, the name began rising sharply in the 2000s and reached its all-time peak popularity in 2018, when it ranked notably higher than its current 867th position. Since then, it has been falling steadily, but it remains a recognizable choice. The name is especially common in the Midwest, with top states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Utah. Edison exemplifies the modern interest in occupational and inventor-style surnames as first names.
Edison is an English patronymic surname derived from the medieval given name Edie, a pet form of Edward or Eda. It gained popularity as a first name in honor of inventor Thomas Alva Edison, especially in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Edison 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: Ed, Eddie, Eddy, Sonny
Sibling names for Edison
Names that share Edison's style, for a brother or sister.
