Edwin

Pronunciation: [ EHDW-uhn ]

Boy Name #383 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

An Anglo-Saxon royal name ready for its quiet comeback

English American Scandinavian

Classic Vintage Strong Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"rich friend, prosperous friend"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"wealthy companion"

Origin: Anglo-Saxon

Language: English

The Story of Edwin

Edwin comes from the Old English Eadwine, composed of ead (wealth, fortune) and wine (friend), meaning rich friend or prosperous friend. It was the name of Edwin of Northumbria (c. 586-633), the first Christian king of Northumbria, who was later venerated as a saint and martyr. The name was common throughout Anglo-Saxon England and has persisted in use for over 1,400 years.

Edwin was common in the early 20th century in the US and UK but declined from the 1950s onward as it came to feel dated. It now has strong vintage revival potential as parents seek solid traditional Anglo-Saxon names. Notably, Edwin has remained consistently popular in Nicaragua, Honduras, and among Central American communities in the US.

Edwin, King of Northumbria, was one of the first Anglo-Saxon kings to embrace Christianity. The city of Edinburgh may derive its name from an early form of Edwin's fort. Edwin has produced notable scientists (Edwin Hubble) and poets (Edwin Arlington Robinson), giving the name strong intellectual credentials.

Fun Facts

Edwin of Northumbria was the first Christian king of Northumbria (died 633 AD) and is venerated as a saint
Edwin is one of the most popular names for boys in Nicaragua and Honduras
Edwin Hubble proved the existence of other galaxies in 1924, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe — the Hubble Space Telescope bears his name

Edwin in Other Languages

Latin Eduinus

German Edwin

Spanish Edwin

Swedish Edwin

Famous People Named Edwin

Edwin Hubble

Scientist

1889

American astronomer who proved the existence of other galaxies in 1924 and discovered the expansion of the universe — th...

American astronomer who proved the existence of other galaxies in 1924 and discovered the expansion of the universe — the Hubble Space Telescope is named after him

Edwin Arlington Robinson

Writer

1869

American poet and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, known for Richard Cory and Miniver Cheevy

Edwin Drood Fictional

Other

Title character of Charles Dickens's unfinished mystery novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870) — whose fate remains unk...

Title character of Charles Dickens's unfinished mystery novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870) — whose fate remains unknown to this day

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #383
Total SSA Count: 850
Cultural Origins: English American Scandinavian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Ed Eddie Win

Pairs Well With

Edwin James Edwin Charles Edwin Allen Edwin Albert Edwin Lee Edwin Francis Edwin Thomas

Sibling Names

Arthur Herbert Dorothy Mabel Florence Walter Agnes

Also a Girl Name

Edwin is also used as a girl name, ranked #70922.

View Edwin as a girl name →

Similar Names

Edward Edgar Edmund Edmond Elwood Eduardo Eduard Desmond

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Frequently Asked Questions About Edwin

What does the name Edwin mean?

"rich friend, prosperous friend" (from Old English). "wealthy companion" (from Anglo-Saxon). Edwin comes from the Old English Eadwine, composed of ead (wealth, fortune) and wine (friend), meaning rich friend or prosperous friend. It was the name of Edwin of Northumbria (c. 586-633), the first Christian king of Northumbria, who was later venerated as a saint and martyr. The name was common throughout Anglo-Saxon England and has persisted in use for over 1,400 years.

What is the origin of the name Edwin?

Edwin has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, American, and Scandinavian origins. In Old English, it means "rich friend, prosperous friend". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "wealthy companion".

Is Edwin a boy or girl name?

Edwin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #383. As a girl name, it is ranked #70922. Edwin is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Edwin?

Edwin is pronounced EHDW-uhn.

How popular is the name Edwin?

Edwin is currently ranked #383 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Edwin?

Common nicknames for Edwin include Ed, Eddie, and Win.

What are good middle names for Edwin?

Popular middle name pairings include Edwin James, Edwin Charles, Edwin Allen, Edwin Albert, Edwin Lee, Edwin Francis, and Edwin Thomas.

What are good sibling names for Edwin?

Names that pair well with Edwin as siblings include Arthur, Herbert, Dorothy, Mabel, Florence, Walter, and Agnes.

How many syllables does Edwin have?

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

Is Edwin a common or rare name?

Edwin is a popular name, ranked #383 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Edwin

Edwin is a boy name with English, American, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "rich friend, prosperous friend" in Old English .

Is Edwin a boy or girl name? Edwin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #383 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,922. Edwin is more commonly used as a boy name.

Edwin is currently ranked #383 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Edwin has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHDW-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

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