Edna

Pronunciation: [ EHDN-uh ]

Girl Name #2,052 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The literary grandmother name making a triumphant return

English Irish Jewish American

Vintage Literary Classic Bold Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"pleasure, rejuvenation"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"kernel, grain"

Origin: Irish Celtic

Language: Irish

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.

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

Famous People Named Edna

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Writer

1892

American poet and playwright, first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1923)

Edna Everage Fictional

Entertainer

1934

Fictional Australian housewife character created by comedian Barry Humphries, beloved globally

Edna Mode Fictional

Other

Iconic fashion designer character in Pixar's The Incredibles (2004), known for her sharp wit

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

Pairs Well With

Edna Rose Edna May Edna Pearl Edna Florence Edna Grace Edna Irene

Sibling Names

Mabel Vera Agnes Hilda Walter Harold

Also a Boy Name

Edna is also used as a boy name, ranked #28017.

View Edna as a boy name →

Similar Names

Ida Edith Adah Ava Vada Aida Veda Maida

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Edna and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Edna sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore 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

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 Ed and 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.