Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Edwin

The name Edwin is one of the few Olde English personal names that survived the radical naming changes that took place in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is derived from the words “ēad” meaning ‘prosperity, riches’ and “wine” meaning ‘friend.’ Edwin was famously borne by the 7th century King of Northumbria, a medieval kingdom of the Angles in what is now northern England and parts of Scotland. Edwin converted to Christianity in 627 and was subsequently slain in the battle of Hatfield Chase by pagan forces. This unfortunate outcome led to Edwin being venerated as a martyr and a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. The name Edwin has been in continual use since the Middle Ages but experienced a particular revival in the 19th century.

All About the Baby Name – Edwin

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME EDWIN

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME EDWIN

The name Edwin has held surprisingly respectable positions on the U.S. popularity charts for well over 100 years. For 62 straight years (from 1880 to 1941) Edwin was a Top 100 favorite choice for little boys. During those years, the name averaged around #60 on the chart which is pretty impressive. By mid-century, however, Edwin ever so gradually declined down the charts. Its backward momentum on the charts in the past 70 years has not been rapid, but rather slow and quiet. Today, the name hovers around the Top 200, so it’s not enjoying the same heavy usage it received 100 years ago. We think of Edwin as a little out-dated and old-fashioned today, but it’s also an English classic. While the name Edward means ‘protector of riches’, Edwin means ‘friend of riches’ which has a much friendlier connotation. We like this name for its Olde English history, and for the fact that it’s had the stamina and endurance to sustain usage for so many centuries of English history. The name is an off-beat alternative to the more common Edward. Edwin is a name for the intellectually contrarian parent.

Quick Facts

ON EDWIN

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

282

PRONUNCIATION:

ED-win

SIMPLE MEANING:

Friend of prosperity and riches

Characteristics

OF EDWIN

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Edwin

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME EDWIN

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Edwin

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME EDWIN

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Edwin


Popular Songs

ON EDWIN

The Ballad of Doris and Edwin
a song by Christine Lavin

Famous People

NAMED EDWIN

Edwin Eugene Aldrin (aka “Buzz” Aldrin, American astronaut)
Edwin Hubble (American astronomer, Hubble telescope)
Edwin Booth (actor)
Edwin Meese (former Attorney General)

Children of Famous People

NAMED EDWIN

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Edwin

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME EDWIN

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Edwin