The nameEdgar
Edgar is a boy's name of Old English origin meaning "rich spear". An Anglo-Saxon royal name, it is famous through Edgar Allan Poe.
- Boy's name
- Old English
Meaning
Edgar comes from the Old English ead, "riches, prosperity", and gar, "spear".
Origin
Old English. Edgar the Peaceful was King of England in the 10th century.
History
Edgar Allan Poe and Edgar Degas made the name famous. It reached the American top 60 and is popular in Latin America.
Did you know?
- Edgar Allan Poe's The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841) is often considered the first modern detective story.
Famous people named Edgar
- Edgar Allan Poe, writer
- Edgar Degas, painter
- Edgar Wright, film director
- Edgar the Peaceful, King of England
Popularity of the name Edgar
Edgar in the United States
Edgar was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 22,614 births over the decade, 14% of all recorded babies named Edgar. Half of all babies named Edgar in the United States were born before 1970, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 743 births a year on average, against 961 in the five years before.
Edgar in the United Kingdom
Edgar was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 424 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Edgar. Half of all babies named Edgar in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 34 births a year.
Edgar in France
Edgar in Norway
Sibling names for Edgar
Names from the same generation as Edgar, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Edgar? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Edgar with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Edgar side by side with the name of your choice.
Edgar in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Edgar mean?
Edgar comes from the Old English ead, "riches, prosperity", and gar, "spear".
What is the origin of the name Edgar?
Old English. Edgar the Peaceful was King of England in the 10th century.
Is Edgar a girl's or a boy's name?
Edgar is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Edgar?
In 2024, Edgar was the 460th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 679 births.
What are good sibling names for Edgar?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Bianca, Nadia, Abby and Kyla for a sister, Edwin, Erick, Cesar and Roberto for a brother.
Who are famous people named Edgar?
Edgar Allan Poe, writer; Edgar Degas, painter; Edgar Wright, film director; Edgar the Peaceful, King of England.