Edda is a name of Old Norse origin, derived from the word "eadr," which means "great-grandmother." It is also associated with the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems primarily concerned with Norse mythology and heroic legends.
The name Edda has been popular among Scandinavian countries for centuries. In Iceland, it was one of the most common girl's names in the early 20th century. However, its popularity has waned in recent years, making it a more unique choice today.
Edda is also the name of a literary work from ancient times, known as the Poetic Edda or Eddas. This collection of Old Norse poems contains many tales about Norse mythology and heroic legends. The name of the literary work may have contributed to its popularity among parents looking for unique names with historical significance.
Despite its historic roots and unique sound, Edda remains a relatively uncommon name outside of Scandinavia. However, it has gained some international recognition in recent years due to its association with famous individuals such as Edda Manga, a Japanese musician, and Edda Mussolini, the daughter of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
The name Edda has been given to a total of 705 babies born in the United States since 1895, as per the statistics provided. The number of babies named Edda varied greatly over the years, with some periods seeing more than ten births and others only a handful.
In the early 20th century, there were several years where five or fewer babies were named Edda. However, in the late 1920s to mid-1930s, there was an increase in popularity, with a peak of 22 births in 1930. This trend continued into the early 1940s, with consistently high numbers each year.
After World War II, the number of babies named Edda began to decline again, reaching single-digit figures in many years. However, there were some spikes in popularity in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with over ten births recorded in those years.
In recent decades, Edda has seen a resurgence in popularity, with more than five babies being named Edda every year since 2006. The most recent data shows that there were 12 births in both 2018 and 2023, indicating that the name is still being chosen for newborns today.
Overall, while Edda may not have been one of the most popular names throughout history, it has consistently appeared on birth records across the United States. Its popularity has waxed and waned over time, but it remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for a less common name for their child.