Edgar is a name of English origin that has been used throughout history and continues to be popular today. It is derived from the Old English words "ead" meaning prosperity or wealthy, and "gar" which means spear. Therefore, the name Edgar can be interpreted as meaning "spear wealth."
The name was first used by the Anglo-Saxons in England during the Middle Ages. One of the most notable figures to bear the name was King Æthelberht II of Wessex, also known as Edgar the Pacific or Edgar the Peaceful. He reigned from 955 until his death in 975 and was known for his efforts to bring peace and unity to England during his rule.
The name Edgar continued to be used throughout history, with many notable figures bearing the name. Some of these include Edgar Allan Poe, the famous American writer known for his tales of mystery and the macabre; Edgar Degas, a French Impressionist painter; and Edgar Whitcomb, the 40th Governor of West Virginia.
Today, Edgar remains a popular choice for boys' names in many English-speaking countries. It is often shortened to variations such as Eddie or Edgar. Despite its historical origins, the name has a modern and sophisticated sound that appeals to many parents.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the trends and popularity of the name Edgar in the United States over several decades.
From 1900 to 1939, there was a notable fluctuation in the number of babies named Edgar each year. The name reached its peak popularity during this period in 1924 with 16 births, followed by another high point in 1929 with 17 births. However, it's worth noting that the average number of births per year during these decades was relatively low, ranging between 5 to 17 births annually.
After World War II, the popularity of the name Edgar began to decline significantly. Between 1948 and 2006, there were only six years with more than five babies named Edgar each year: in 1955 (6 births), 1958 (6 births), 1980 (5 births), 1988 (6 births), 1989 (8 births), and 1991 (7 births). The total number of births for these years combined was only 42, indicating that the name Edgar had become quite rare by this point.
In recent years, however, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Edgar. Between 2001 and 2006, five babies were named Edgar each year, suggesting that some parents may be rediscovering this classic name for their children.
Overall, while the name Edgar experienced periods of relative popularity during its early years, it has since become less common in the United States. Despite this decline, there are still a significant number of people named Edgar living today, with a total of 420 births recorded over the course of more than a century.