Edgar is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English elements "ead" meaning wealthy or prosperous, and "gar" which means spear. The name has been used throughout history and has been associated with several notable figures.
One of the most famous bearers of the name Edgar was King Æthelred the Unready of England (reigned 978-1013), who was known for his wise governance despite his nickname, which translates to "ill-advised." Another notable figure is Sir Edgar Degas, a French Impressionist painter and sculptor who was famous for his depictions of horses and dancers.
The name Edgar has also been used in literature, most notably as the main character in Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher," which is considered one of the greatest works of American fiction. The name Edgar also appears in other literary works such as Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield" and William Shakespeare's play "King Lear."
Throughout history, the name Edgar has been associated with intelligence, creativity, and leadership. It is a strong and distinctive name that has stood the test of time, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a classic yet unique name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Edgar has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. The late 1800s and early 1900s saw a consistent number of births each year with the name Edgar, ranging from 5 to 13 births annually between 1880 and 1921.
The 1920s and 1930s showed fluctuations in popularity, with the highest peak at 17 births in 1928. After a dip in the early 1930s, the name gained some traction again in the mid-1960s to late 1970s, with peaks of 14 births in 1966 and 10 births in 1978.
Interestingly, the name Edgar experienced a significant resurgence in popularity from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. The highest recorded number of births with the name was 25 in 1990, followed by 19 births in 1989 and 21 births in 1988. This trend continued into the late 1990s, with peaks of 14 births in 1997 and 10 births in 1998.
However, the popularity of the name Edgar has since declined, with only 5 to 10 births per year from 2001 onwards, according to the provided statistics. Overall, a total of 705 babies were named Edgar in the United States based on the given data.