Declining since 1990, #2,458 for girls today.
Popularity of Edna since 1880
Babies named Edna per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Edna's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11,020 |
| 1890s | 24,068 |
| 1900s | 29,832 |
| 1910s | 66,897 |
| 1920s | 68,629 |
| 1930s | 36,973 |
| 1940s | 24,699 |
| 1950s | 15,418 |
| 1960s | 7,698 |
| 1970s | 3,411 |
| 1980s | 2,164 |
| 1990s | 1,576 |
| 2000s | 1,262 |
| 2010s | 930 |
| 2020s | 539 |
Meaning & origin
Edna is a name with deep biblical roots, meaning "pleasure" in Hebrew, but its trajectory in the United States tells a story of dramatic decline. First recorded in 1880, Edna reached its peak popularity in 1893, when it was one of the most common names for girls. In that era, Edna was among the top ten names, favored especially in states like Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. By 1990, its usage had begun to fall, and as of 2019 it ranked 2,458, with only 1 in every 22,323 babies named Edna. While the name is no longer fashionable, it retains its classic appeal for parents seeking a vintage name with a straightforward meaning and a long recorded history.
Edna is derived from the Hebrew word עֵדְנָה (ednah), meaning "pleasure" or "delight." In the Old Testament, Ednah appears as the name of two minor figures. The name appears in the Apocryphal Book of Tobit, where Edna is the mother of Sarah. Edna gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the 19th century, peaking in the United States in the 1890s. It has since declined but retains an old-fashioned charm.
Where Edna is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Edna” around the world
Where Edna lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eddie, Ed
Sibling names for Edna
Names that share Edna's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mabel, Clara, Ida, Ruth, Hazel, Doris, Lois, Norma, Verna, Belva, Erna, Allean, Corene, Edra, Eldora, Merna, Reatha, Vena, Alverda, Anona, Berneda, Birda, Birtie, Clyda, Fredna, Gladies, Herma, Lovena, Nelma, Relda, Rinda, Venna, Verma, Wilberta, Alean, Clema, Delva, Gladine, Irva, Morine, Netha, Reida, Uldine, Wretha, Cloria, Rubena, Earma, Eldine, Eltha, Gusta, Idonna, Verbie, Wilna
Brothers: Ernest, Walter, Frank, Arthur, George, Bert, Earl, Al, Ernie, Ervin, Kermit, Durwood, Lamon, Malvin, Wayman, Almer, Cleave, Delmon, Derwood, Orvin, Alvy, Deloss, Dencil, Hearl, Murvin, Ordell, Ruble, Wendal, Edmar, Elman, Elmond, Deloyd, Edker, Elber, Floyed, Odas, Orvan, Plez
