Edmund

Meaning of Edmund

Edmund (ED-mund), rooted in the Old English elements ēad “prosperity” and mund “guardian,” literally means “fortunate protector.” History obliges: Saint Edmund of East Anglia, King Edmund Ironside, statesman Edmund Burke, poet Edmund Spenser, and mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary all carried the name up various hills, literal or metaphorical. Literature adds further range—from Shakespeare’s scheming Edmund in King Lear to the repentant Edmund Pevensie of Narnia—proving the label works for heroes and anti-heroes alike. In the United States, Edmund has slid gracefully from a sturdy Top-150 berth in the late 19th century to a discreet ranking around the mid-700s today, making it recognizable without feeling ubiquitous. For parents who favor an Anglo-American classic that signals quiet resolve and leaves room for individual plot twists, Edmund remains a quietly compelling option.