Edith

Pronunciation: [ EED-ihth ]

Girl Name #528 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

Victorian royalty with a modern vintage revival

English Scandinavian American German

Vintage Literary Classic Elegant Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"prosperous in war"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"blessed strife"

Origin: Anglo-Saxon

Language: English

The Story of Edith

Edith comes from the Old English name Eadgyth, composed of ead (wealth, fortune, prosperity) and gyth (war, battle). It was a royal name in pre-Norman England — Saint Edith of Wilton (961-984) was the daughter of King Edgar the Peaceful. After the Norman Conquest the name fell out of favor but was revived in the Victorian era as part of a broader Anglo-Saxon naming renaissance.

Edith peaked in the early 1900s as a top-10 name in the US and UK, then declined steeply through the mid-20th century. It has experienced a strong vintage revival since the 2010s. The character Edith Crawley in Downton Abbey (2010-2015) helped restore its appeal to a new generation.

Edith has strong literary associations: Edith Wharton shaped American fiction, Edith Nesbit wrote beloved British children's books, and Edith Piaf defined the French chanson tradition. The name was carried by English queens, saints, and cultural figures across centuries.

Fun Facts

Saint Edith of Wilton was canonized for her charity despite her royal status
Edith Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1921)
Edith Piaf's signature song La Vie en Rose (1945) is one of the most recognizable songs of the 20th century

Edith in Other Languages

French Edith

German Edith

Polish Edyta

Italian Edita

Spanish Edita

Swedish Edit

Famous People Named Edith

Edith Piaf

Musician

1915

French cabaret singer known as The Little Sparrow, famous for La Vie en Rose and Non Je Ne Regrette Rien

Edith Wharton

Writer

1862

American novelist and first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, author of The Age of Innocence

Edith Crawley Fictional

Other

Character in the British period drama Downton Abbey (2010-2015), the middle Crawley sister who becomes a magazine editor...

Character in the British period drama Downton Abbey (2010-2015), the middle Crawley sister who becomes a magazine editor and marchioness

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #528
Total SSA Count: 579
Cultural Origins: English Scandinavian American German
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Edie Edi

Pairs Well With

Edith Rose Edith Mae Edith Grace Edith Pearl Edith Jane Edith Louise Edith Claire

Sibling Names

Arthur Florence Rupert Agnes Walter Harriet Cecil

Also a Boy Name

Edith is also used as a boy name, ranked #13113.

View Edith as a boy name →

Similar Names

Ida Edna Adah Ava Vada Aida Veda Maida

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Edith

What does the name Edith mean?

"prosperous in war" (from Old English). "blessed strife" (from Anglo-Saxon). Edith comes from the Old English name Eadgyth, composed of ead (wealth, fortune, prosperity) and gyth (war, battle). It was a royal name in pre-Norman England — Saint Edith of Wilton (961-984) was the daughter of King Edgar the Peaceful. After the Norman Conquest the name fell out of favor but was revived in the Victorian era as part of a broader Anglo-Saxon naming renaissance.

What is the origin of the name Edith?

Edith has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, Scandinavian, American, and German origins. In Old English, it means "prosperous in war". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "blessed strife".

Is Edith a boy or girl name?

Edith is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #528. As a boy name, it is ranked #13113. Edith is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Edith?

Edith is pronounced EED-ihth.

How popular is the name Edith?

Edith is currently ranked #528 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Edith?

Common nicknames for Edith include Edie and Edi.

What are good middle names for Edith?

Popular middle name pairings include Edith Rose, Edith Mae, Edith Grace, Edith Pearl, Edith Jane, Edith Louise, and Edith Claire.

What are good sibling names for Edith?

Names that pair well with Edith as siblings include Arthur, Florence, Rupert, Agnes, Walter, Harriet, and Cecil.

How many syllables does Edith have?

Edith has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Edith a common or rare name?

Edith is moderately common, ranked #528 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Edith

Edith is a girl name with English, Scandinavian, American, and German origins . The name means "prosperous in war" in Old English .

Is Edith a boy or girl name? Edith is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #528 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #13,113. Edith is more commonly used as a girl name.

Edith is currently ranked #528 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Edith has 2 syllables and is pronounced EED-ihth, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Edith include Edie and Edi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.