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Edith

♀ Girl

Pronounced EE-dith /ˈiː.dɪθ/High

Meaning: From Old English 'Eadgyth,' composed of 'ead' (rich, prosperity, fortune) and 'gyth' (battle, strife), meaning 'rich in battle' or 'prosperous in war'; a royal Anglo-Saxon name borne by queens and saintsHigh

In 30 seconds: Edith is a proud Anglo-Saxon name meaning 'prosperous in war,' borne by queens and saints since before the Norman Conquest. A darling of the Victorian era and again today, it is the vintage name that never truly goes out of style.
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Origin HighEnglish, Old English
MeaningFrom Old English 'Eadgyth,' composed of 'ead' (rich, prosperity, fortune) and 'gyth' (battle, strife), meaning 'rich in battle' or 'prosperous in war'; a royal Anglo-Saxon name borne by queens and saints
U.S. rank (2025)#499 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births595 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 270,874

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191818802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Edith comes from Old English Eadgyth, composed of ead (rich, prosperous, fortune) and gyth (strife, battle), meaning 'prosperous in battle' or 'rich in war.' It was a royal Anglo-Saxon name — borne by Edith of Wessex (wife of Edward the Confessor) and Saint Edith of Wilton — and survived the Norman Conquest to remain in use throughout medieval England.

Edith was among the most popular girls' names in Victorian England and early 20th-century America. It declined in mid-century but has experienced a warm, sustained revival since the 2000s as parents rediscover its elegant Anglo-Saxon heritage. French singer Édith Piaf gave the name an enduring musical and emotional dimension. Edith now ranks in the U.S. top 100 girls' names.

Did you know? Édith Piaf — the French chanteuse known as 'La Môme' (The Little Sparrow) — turned the name Edith into a symbol of passion, resilience, and artistic genius through her devastating voice and tragic life story.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Edith — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

EdieEdythEdythe

Nicknames

EdieEddie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Édith Piaf (1915–1963)
    French singer (1915–1963), known as 'La Môme,' one of the greatest popular musicians of all time
  • ★Edith of Wessex (c. 1025–1075)
    Queen of England as wife of Edward the Confessor (c. 1029–1075)

If you like Edith…

Eleanor— shares the Anglo-Saxon royal heritage and the same graceful vintage revival
Dorothy— shares the Victorian-era classic feel and the same warm modern rediscovery
Miriam— shares the ancient name pedigree and the same understated elegance
Ada— shares the short, dignified Anglo-German heritage and the same vintage modern crossover

Frequently Asked

What does Edith mean?

Edith means 'prosperous in war' or 'rich in battle,' from Old English 'ead' (prosperous) and 'gyth' (battle). It was a royal name in Anglo-Saxon England.

How do you pronounce Edith?

Edith is pronounced EE-dith /ˈiː.dɪθ/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Edith a vintage name?

Yes. Edith peaked in Victorian England and early 20th-century America, fell from fashion mid-century, and has been warmly reviving since the 2000s as a sophisticated vintage classic.

Who was Édith Piaf?

Édith Piaf (1915–1963) was a French singer whose powerful, emotional voice made her one of the most celebrated performers of the 20th century. She is best known for La Vie en Rose.