"rich friend, prosperous friend"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Edwin
Pronunciation: [ EHDW-uhn ]
Does Edwin flow with your last name?
An Anglo-Saxon royal name ready for its quiet comeback
English
American
Scandinavian
Classic
Vintage
Strong
Traditional
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"wealthy companion"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
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The Story of Edwin
Edwin comes from the Old English Eadwine, composed of ead (wealth, fortune) and wine (friend), meaning rich friend or prosperous friend. It was the name of Edwin of Northumbria (c. 586-633), the first Christian king of Northumbria, who was later venerated as a saint and martyr. The name was common throughout Anglo-Saxon England and has persisted in use for over 1,400 years.
Edwin was common in the early 20th century in the US and UK but declined from the 1950s onward as it came to feel dated. It now has strong vintage revival potential as parents seek solid traditional Anglo-Saxon names. Notably, Edwin has remained consistently popular in Nicaragua, Honduras, and among Central American communities in the US.
Edwin, King of Northumbria, was one of the first Anglo-Saxon kings to embrace Christianity. The city of Edinburgh may derive its name from an early form of Edwin's fort. Edwin has produced notable scientists (Edwin Hubble) and poets (Edwin Arlington Robinson), giving the name strong intellectual credentials.
Historical Record
Edwin first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 130,317 babies have been named Edwin in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Edwin is past its peak , currently ranked #383 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Edwin of Northumbria was the first Christian king of Northumbria (died 633 AD) and is venerated as a saint
- Edwin is one of the most popular names for boys in Nicaragua and Honduras
- Edwin Hubble proved the existence of other galaxies in 1924, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe — the Hubble Space Telescope bears his name
Edwin in Other Languages
Latin
Eduinus
German
Edwin
Spanish
Edwin
Swedish
Edwin
Popularity Over Time
#383
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Edwin
E
Edwin Hubble
Scientist
1889
American astronomer who proved the existence of other galaxies in 1924 and discovered the expansion of the universe — th...
American astronomer who proved the existence of other galaxies in 1924 and discovered the expansion of the universe — the Hubble Space Telescope is named after him
E
Edwin Arlington Robinson
Writer
1869
American poet and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, known for Richard Cory and Miniver Cheevy
E
Edwin Drood Fictional
Other
Title character of Charles Dickens's unfinished mystery novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870) — whose fate remains unk...
Title character of Charles Dickens's unfinished mystery novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870) — whose fate remains unknown to this day
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #383
- Total SSA Count
- 850
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Ed
Eddie
Win
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Edwin
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Edwin is also used as a girl name, ranked #70922.
View Edwin as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Edwin
What does the name Edwin mean?
"rich friend, prosperous friend" (from Old English). "wealthy companion" (from Anglo-Saxon). Edwin comes from the Old English Eadwine, composed of ead (wealth, fortune) and wine (friend), meaning rich friend or prosperous friend. It was the name of Edwin of Northumbria (c. 586-633), the first Christian king of Northumbria, who was later venerated as a saint and martyr. The name was common throughout Anglo-Saxon England and has persisted in use for over 1,400 years.
What is the origin of the name Edwin?
Edwin has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, American, and Scandinavian origins. In Old English, it means "rich friend, prosperous friend". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "wealthy companion".
Is Edwin a boy or girl name?
Edwin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #383. As a girl name, it is ranked #70922. Edwin is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Edwin?
Edwin is pronounced EHDW-uhn.
How popular is the name Edwin?
Edwin is currently ranked #383 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Edwin?
Common nicknames for Edwin include Eddie and Win.
What are good middle names for Edwin?
Popular middle name pairings include Edwin James, Edwin Charles, Edwin Allen, Edwin Albert, Edwin Lee, Edwin Francis, and Edwin Thomas.
What are good sibling names for Edwin?
Names that pair well with Edwin as siblings include Arthur, Herbert, Dorothy, Mabel, Florence, Walter, and Agnes.
How many syllables does Edwin have?
Edwin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Edwin a common or rare name?
Edwin is a popular name, ranked #383 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Edwin
Edwin is a boy name with English, American, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "rich friend, prosperous friend" in Old English .
Is Edwin a boy or girl name? Edwin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #383 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,922. Edwin is more commonly used as a boy name.
Edwin is currently ranked #383 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Edwin has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHDW-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Edwin include Ed, Eddie, and Win. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis