Edgar is a name of English origin that has been used throughout history and has gained popularity in various countries around the world. Its meaning is derived from its Old Germanic roots, where it means "wealthy spear". This name was brought to England by the Norman conquerors in the 11th century.
The name Edgar became particularly popular during the reign of King Edgar the Peaceful (also known as St. Edward the Confessor), who ruled England from 959 to 975. He was a significant figure in English history, known for his efforts to unify and stabilize the kingdom after years of turmoil following the death of King Edmund I. His legacy continues to influence the usage of the name Edgar today.
In literature, the name Edgar is famously associated with the works of Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe. In Dickens' novel "The Pickwick Papers," the character Samuel Weller has a friend named Mr. Edwin, also known as Edgar. Meanwhile, in Poe's stories, there are characters named Edgar who play significant roles.
Throughout history, the name Edgar has been borne by numerous notable individuals, such as Edgar Degas, the French Impressionist painter; Edgar Hoover, the first Director of the FBI; and Edgar Wright, the English film director known for his work on movies like "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz." These figures have contributed to the enduring appeal of the name.
Today, Edgar remains a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, historical, and distinctive name for their child. Its meaning, wealth speared with strength, continues to resonate with many families who choose this classic name for their sons.
The name Edgar has been consistently popular in the United States over the past century and a half, with a total of 155,898 births recorded between 1880 and 2023. The name's popularity peaked in the early 1900s, reaching an all-time high of 4,441 births in 1912.
Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, the number of babies named Edgar fluctuated annually between 266 and 4,441 births. However, after World War II, the name's popularity began to decline steadily. Between 1950 and 1970, fewer than 800 babies were named Edgar each year on average.
In recent decades, the name Edgar has seen a resurgence in popularity among parents in the United States. After dropping to an all-time low of just 436 births in 2008, the number of babies named Edgar began to rise again, reaching 774 births in 2022.
Overall, while the name Edgar may not be as popular today as it was a century ago, its enduring appeal and historic significance continue to make it an attractive choice for parents looking for a classic yet distinctive name for their sons.