"prosperity protector"
Edmund
Pronunciation: [ EHDM-uhnd ]
A royal Anglo-Saxon name meaning 'protector of prosperity'
Meaning & Origin
"wealthy guardian"
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
Famous People Named Edmund
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Edmund is also used as a girl name, ranked #69970.
View Edmund as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Edmund
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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.