"pleasure, rejuvenation"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Edna
Pronunciation: [ EHDN-uh ]
Does Edna flow with your last name?
The literary grandmother name making a triumphant return
English
Irish
Jewish
American
Vintage
Literary
Classic
Bold
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Edna
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Edna
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"kernel, grain"
Origin: Irish Celtic
Language: Irish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Edna
See all →What the Edna report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Edna the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Edna
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Edna head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Edna actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Edna
Edna has dual origins: in Hebrew (from the Book of Tobit in the Deuterocanon) it means pleasure or rejuvenation, while in Irish it is the anglicization of Eithne, meaning kernel or grain of a nut. Both traditions give Edna depth and antiquity. The name was extremely popular in the early 20th century — Edna was a top-10 American name from 1900-1930 — and is now experiencing the vintage revival that has brought Mabel, Agnes, and Hazel back into fashion.
Edna peaked in the United States in the 1910s-1920s before declining sharply mid-century. It is now on a strong comeback as part of the great-grandmother name revival. The beloved Pixar character Edna Mode in The Incredibles (2004) gave the name a pop culture boost.
Edna St. Vincent Millay, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923, is perhaps the most celebrated bearer of this name — her work embodies the name's combination of passion, wit, and literary grace. In Irish tradition, Eithne/Edna is associated with Celtic mythology.
Historical Record
Edna first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 32,904 babies have been named Edna in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Edna is past its peak , currently ranked #2,052 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Edna was the 6th most popular girl name in the US in 1910
- Edna Mode from The Incredibles was inspired by Hollywood costume designer Edith Head
Edna in Other Languages
Irish
Eithne
French
Edna
Hebrew
עֶדְנָה
Italian
Edna
Spanish
Edna
Popularity Over Time
#2,052
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Edna
E
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Writer
1892
American poet and playwright, first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1923)
E
Edna Everage Fictional
Entertainer
1934
Fictional Australian housewife character created by comedian Barry Humphries, beloved globally
E
Edna Mode Fictional
Other
Iconic fashion designer character in Pixar's The Incredibles (2004), known for her sharp wit
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Mayli
Girl
"beautiful, lovely"
#2,207
Leana
Girl
"grey lady"
#2,111
Courtney
Girl
"short nose (Latin nickname origin)"
#1,992
Perry
Girl
"pear tree"
#1,914
Makena
Girl
"full of happiness"
#2,045
Compare Edna with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,052
- Total SSA Count
- 94
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish Jewish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Ed
Eddie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Edna
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Edna fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Edna is also used as a boy name, ranked #28017.
View Edna as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Edna →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Edna with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Edna
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Edna and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Edna sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Mayli
Girl
Chinese origin
"beautiful, lovely"
#2,207 in US
Leana
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"grey lady"
#2,111 in US
Courtney
Girl
Latin origin
"short nose (Latin nickname origin)"
#1,992 in US
Perry
Girl
Old English origin
"pear tree"
#1,914 in US
Makena
Girl
African origin
"full of happiness"
#2,045 in US
Aleyah
Girl
Hebrew origin
"ascending, rising"
#1,907 in US
Divine
Girl
Latin origin
"of divine nature, heavenly, godlike"
#2,020 in US
Lakyn
Girl
Old Norse via English origin
"lake, body of water"
#1,969 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Edna's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Edna
What does the name Edna mean?
"pleasure, rejuvenation" (from Hebrew). "kernel, grain" (from Irish Celtic). Edna has dual origins: in Hebrew (from the Book of Tobit in the Deuterocanon) it means pleasure or rejuvenation, while in Irish it is the anglicization of Eithne, meaning kernel or grain of a nut. Both traditions give Edna depth and antiquity. The name was extremely popular in the early 20th century — Edna was a top-10 American name from 1900-1930 — and is now experiencing the vintage revival that has brought Mabel, Agnes, and Hazel back into fashion.
What is the origin of the name Edna?
Edna has Hebrew, Irish Celtic, English, Irish, Jewish, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "pleasure, rejuvenation". In Irish Celtic, it means "kernel, grain".
Is Edna a boy or girl name?
Edna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2052. As a boy name, it is ranked #28017. Edna is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Edna?
Edna is pronounced EHDN-uh.
How popular is the name Edna?
Edna is currently ranked #2052 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Edna?
Common nicknames for Edna include Eddie.
What are good middle names for Edna?
Popular middle name pairings include Edna Rose, Edna May, Edna Pearl, Edna Florence, Edna Grace, and Edna Irene.
What are good sibling names for Edna?
Names that pair well with Edna as siblings include Mabel, Vera, Agnes, Hilda, Walter, and Harold.
How many syllables does Edna have?
Edna has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Edna a common or rare name?
Edna is an uncommon name, ranked #2052 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Edna
Edna is a girl name with English, Irish, Jewish, and American origins . The name means "pleasure, rejuvenation" in Hebrew .
Is Edna a boy or girl name? Edna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,052 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,017. Edna is more commonly used as a girl name.
Edna is currently ranked #2,052 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Edna has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHDN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Edna include Ed and Eddie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More girl names like Edna
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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