Edwina

Meaning of Edwina

Edwina, the feminine counterpart of Edwin, traces its roots to Old English ead (“wealth”) and wine (“friend”), literally meaning “rich friend.” Viewed through a Persian lens, this compound mirrors the cultural ideal of a steadfast dost whose loyalty brings both emotional and material abundance. In the United States, Edwina enjoyed modest favor in the early 20th century—hovering around rank 200 in the 1920s—before gradually retreating into rarity, with only five newborns given the name in 2024 (rank 945). Its subtle dignity, underscored by a dry, almost aristocratic wit, renders Edwina a quietly elegant choice: a name that wears the luster of history without ever feeling dated.

Pronunciation

English

• Pronunced as ed-WEE-nuh (/ɛdˈwiːnə/)

• Edith
• Edina
• Edeline
• Edwena
• Edwyna