Edith is a feminine given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old German word "Aid" or "Adal", which means "noble". The name was popularized during the Middle Ages when it became associated with various saints and queens.
The name Edith first gained prominence in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, where it was used by several royal figures. One of the most notable bearers of this name was Edith of Wessex (also known as Edith Swanneck), who was the second wife of Edward the Confessor. She played a significant role in medieval English politics and is believed to have had considerable influence over her husband.
The name Edith remained popular throughout the Middle Ages and continued to be used into the modern era. Today, it is still considered a classic and elegant choice for a girl's name. While its popularity has waxed and waned over the centuries, it has consistently been used in various forms and spellings around the world.
In addition to Edith, other variations of this name include Edyth, Ethel, Ethyl, and Edite. Each of these versions offers a unique twist on the classic name while still retaining its original meaning and heritage. Overall, the name Edith is a timeless choice that evokes images of elegance, nobility, and strength.
The name Edith has had a fascinating journey in popularity over the years in the United States. In the late 19th century, it experienced steady growth, with around 750-800 births per year between 1880 and 1884. However, between 1886 and 1892, there was a significant surge in popularity, with over 1,000 births each year.
The early 20th century saw Edith's popularity peak, reaching its highest point in 1915 with an impressive 6,761 births. This trend continued until the mid-1930s when it began to decline gradually. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, Edith was still a popular name, but its popularity had significantly decreased compared to previous decades.
From the 1960s onwards, Edith's popularity experienced a steady decline until it reached its lowest point in recent years in 2023 with only 602 births recorded. Despite this decline in popularity for new births, it is worth noting that the name Edith remains prevalent among older generations due to its historical popularity.
In total, there have been over 269,690 births of the name Edith in the United States since records began, demonstrating its enduring presence throughout history.