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Edmund

Pronunciation: [ EHDM-uhnd ]

Boy Name #1,184 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A royal Anglo-Saxon name meaning 'protector of prosperity'

English Scottish American Polish
Vintage Literary Classic Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"prosperity protector"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"wealthy guardian"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Edmund is the treacherous villain in King Lear; also the initial antagonist in The Chronicles of Narnia (though Edmund Pevensie redeems himself)

The Story of Edmund

Edmund is an Old English name composed of 'ead' (prosperity, wealth, fortune) and 'mund' (protection), meaning 'protector of prosperity' or 'wealthy guardian.' It was a royal name in Anglo-Saxon England — Saint Edmund was a 9th-century King of East Anglia who was martyred by Viking invaders and became patron saint of England before Saint George. The name was widespread throughout medieval Europe in various forms.

Edmund was a standard English name through the medieval and Victorian eras. It fell from fashion in the mid-20th century but is now experiencing a revival among parents seeking dignified, old-fashioned names with strong literary and historical associations.

Saint Edmund, King and Martyr, was the patron saint of England before Saint George replaced him in the 14th century. In Poland, name days for Edmund are celebrated on November 20. The name carries rich literary associations through Shakespeare's villain Edmund in King Lear and C.S. Lewis's complex protagonist Edmund Pevensie in The Chronicles of Narnia.

Fun Facts

  • Saint Edmund was the patron saint of England for centuries before Saint George, and his shrine in Bury St Edmunds was one of medieval England's most important pilgrimage sites
  • Edmund Hillary was the first person confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest, in 1953

Edmund in Other Languages

French Edmond
German Edmund
Polish Edmund
Italian Edmondo
Spanish Edmundo
Portuguese Edmundo

Famous People Named Edmund

E

Edmund Hillary

Explorer

1919

New Zealand mountaineer who was the first person confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, alongsid...

New Zealand mountaineer who was the first person confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, alongside Tenzing Norgay

E

Edmund Burke

Politician

1729

Irish-born British statesman and philosopher, considered the father of modern conservatism and a champion of American in...

Irish-born British statesman and philosopher, considered the father of modern conservatism and a champion of American independence

E

Edmund Pevensie Fictional

Other

Fictional character in C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia — a boy who betrays his siblings but becomes King Edmund th...

Fictional character in C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia — a boy who betrays his siblings but becomes King Edmund the Just of Narnia after his redemption

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#1,184
Total SSA Count
175
Cultural Origins
English Scottish American Polish
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Ed Eddie Ned

Pairs Well With

Edmund James Edmund William Edmund Charles Edmund George Edmund Arthur Edmund Henry

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Edmund is also used as a girl name, ranked #69970.

View Edmund as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Edmund

What does the name Edmund mean?
"prosperity protector" (from Old English). "wealthy guardian" (from Anglo-Saxon). Edmund is an Old English name composed of 'ead' (prosperity, wealth, fortune) and 'mund' (protection), meaning 'protector of prosperity' or 'wealthy guardian.' It was a royal name in Anglo-Saxon England — Saint Edmund was a 9th-century King of East Anglia who was martyred by Viking invaders and became patron saint of England before Saint George. The name was widespread throughout medieval Europe in various forms.
What is the origin of the name Edmund?
Edmund has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, Scottish, American, and Polish origins. In Old English, it means "prosperity protector". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "wealthy guardian".
Is Edmund a boy or girl name?
Edmund is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1184. As a girl name, it is ranked #69970. Edmund is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Edmund?
Edmund is pronounced EHDM-uhnd.
How popular is the name Edmund?
Edmund is currently ranked #1184 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Edmund?
Common nicknames for Edmund include Ed, Eddie, and Ned.
What are good middle names for Edmund?
Popular middle name pairings include Edmund James, Edmund William, Edmund Charles, Edmund George, Edmund Arthur, and Edmund Henry.
What are good sibling names for Edmund?
Names that pair well with Edmund as siblings include Cecily, Lucy, Beatrice, Theodore, Frederick, and Eleanor.
How many syllables does Edmund have?
Edmund has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Edmund a common or rare name?
Edmund is an uncommon name, ranked #1184 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Edmund

Edmund is a boy name with English, Scottish, American, and Polish origins . The name means "prosperity protector" in Old English .

Is Edmund a boy or girl name? Edmund is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,184 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #69,970. Edmund is more commonly used as a boy name.

Edmund is currently ranked #1,184 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Edmund has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHDM-uhnd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Edmund include Ed, Eddie, and Ned. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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