"rich spear, lucky warrior"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Edgar
Pronunciation: [ EHDG-er ]
Does Edgar flow with your last name?
A kingly Old English name carrying literary genius
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Spanish
French
German
Vintage
Literary
Strong
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Classic
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Edgar
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Meaning & Origin
"prosperous spearman"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
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The Story of Edgar
Edgar derives from the Old English name Eadgar, composed of ead meaning rich, prosperous, or lucky, and gar meaning spear. Together the name means rich spear or lucky warrior. It was a royal name in Anglo-Saxon England, most notably borne by Edgar the Peaceful (943-975), the first King of all England, who reformed the church, standardized coinage, and established peace across his realm.
Edgar experienced a significant 19th-century cultural boost through Edgar Allan Poe, whose macabre and brilliant literary legacy made the name synonymous with dark genius. In the US, Edgar has been especially popular in Hispanic communities where Edgardo is a beloved variant. It has been on a steady rise in the 2010s-2020s.
Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most influential American writers, credited with inventing the detective fiction genre and pioneering the horror short story. The Edgar Awards, given annually by the Mystery Writers of America, are named in his honor. King Edgar the Peaceful is considered one of England's most effective early monarchs.
Historical Record
Edgar first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 93,662 babies have been named Edgar in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Edgar is past its peak , currently ranked #460 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Edgar Awards, given by the Mystery Writers of America, are named after Edgar Allan Poe
- King Edgar the Peaceful was crowned at Bath in 973 in a ceremony that is the basis of the modern British coronation service
Edgar in Other Languages
French
Edgar
German
Edgar
Italian
Edgardo
Spanish
Edgar/Edgardo
Popularity Over Time
#460
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1991
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Edgar
E
Edgar Degas
Artist
1834
French Impressionist painter renowned for his ballet dancer series and innovative depictions of movement
E
Edgar Allan Poe
Writer
1809
American author credited with inventing detective fiction and pioneering the horror genre, known for The Raven and The T...
American author credited with inventing detective fiction and pioneering the horror genre, known for The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart
E
Edgar the Peaceful
Royalty
943
First King of all England, whose coronation ceremony at Bath in 973 forms the basis of the modern British coronation ser...
First King of all England, whose coronation ceremony at Bath in 973 forms the basis of the modern British coronation service
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #460
- Total SSA Count
- 679
- Cultural Origins
- English Spanish French German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ed
Eddie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Edgar
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Edgar is also used as a girl name, ranked #49197.
View Edgar as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Edgar
What does the name Edgar mean?
"rich spear, lucky warrior" (from Old English). "prosperous spearman" (from Anglo-Saxon). Edgar derives from the Old English name Eadgar, composed of ead meaning rich, prosperous, or lucky, and gar meaning spear. Together the name means rich spear or lucky warrior. It was a royal name in Anglo-Saxon England, most notably borne by Edgar the Peaceful (943-975), the first King of all England, who reformed the church, standardized coinage, and established peace across his realm.
What is the origin of the name Edgar?
Edgar has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, Spanish, French, and German origins. In Old English, it means "rich spear, lucky warrior". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "prosperous spearman".
Is Edgar a boy or girl name?
Edgar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #460. As a girl name, it is ranked #49197. Edgar is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Edgar?
Edgar is pronounced EHDG-er.
How popular is the name Edgar?
Edgar is currently ranked #460 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Edgar?
Common nicknames for Edgar include Eddie.
What are good middle names for Edgar?
Popular middle name pairings include Edgar James, Edgar Allan, Edgar William, Edgar Thomas, Edgar Joseph, Edgar Lee, and Edgar Dean.
What are good sibling names for Edgar?
Names that pair well with Edgar as siblings include Edmund, Arthur, Clement, Adelaide, Vivienne, Florence, and Beatrice.
How many syllables does Edgar have?
Edgar has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Edgar a common or rare name?
Edgar is a popular name, ranked #460 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Edgar?
Are there other spellings for Edgar?
Related spellings include Edgardo.
About the Name Edgar
Edgar is a boy name with English, Spanish, French, and German origins . The name means "rich spear, lucky warrior" in Old English .
Is Edgar a boy or girl name? Edgar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #460 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #49,197. Edgar is more commonly used as a boy name.
Edgar is currently ranked #460 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Edgar has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHDG-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Edgar include Ed and Eddie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Edgar include Edgardo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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