Ed: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Ed

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1959

696 babies

All-time total

26,370

#726 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Ed popularity over time

26,370 babies have been named Ed since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	2,957	2,957	296	–	#54
1890s	10	2,346	2,356	236	-20%	#66
1900s	–	1,814	1,814	181	-23%	#87
1910s	47	2,705	2,752	275	+52%	#140
1920s	89	2,668	2,757	276	0%	#331
1930s	19	2,560	2,579	258	-6%	#328
1940s	–	3,041	3,041	304	+18%	#322
1950s	–	2,952	2,952	295	-3%	#297
1960s	–	3,779	3,779	378	+28%	#308
1970s	–	608	608	61	-84%	#730
1980s	–	314	314	31	-48%	#1,528
1990s	–	204	204	20	-35%	#2,695
2000s	–	156	156	16	-24%	#3,881
2010s	–	79	79	8	-49%	#6,133
2020s (to 2025)	–	22	22	4	-54%	#8,508

The story of Ed

Ed is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 26,370 American babies have been named Ed. Its peak came in 1959, when 696 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ed stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Ed?

The median living Ed is about 65 years old; half are between 60 and 74. An estimated 8,700 people named Ed are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Ed year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	–	–
2024	–	–	9	#8,508
2023	–	–	5	#12,741
2022	–	–	–	–
2021	–	–	8	#9,052
2020	–	–	–	–
2019	–	–	9	#8,390
2018	–	–	11	#7,263
2017	–	–	7	#9,979
2016	–	–	8	#9,078
2015	–	–	8	#8,973
2014	–	–	6	#11,108
2013	–	–	7	#9,946
2012	–	–	–	–
2011	–	–	9	#8,260
2010	–	–	14	#6,133
2009	–	–	15	#5,888
2008	–	–	9	#8,492
2007	–	–	12	#6,753
2006	–	–	12	#6,579
2005	–	–	12	#6,338
2004	–	–	15	#5,322
2003	–	–	21	#4,018
2002	–	–	20	#4,078
2001	–	–	21	#3,881
2000	–	–	19	#4,102
1995	–	–	24	#2,952
1990	–	–	24	#2,720
1985	–	–	28	#2,033
1980	–	–	40	#1,528
1975	–	–	46	#1,263
1970	–	–	127	#730
1965	–	–	307	#441
1960	–	–	644	#308
1955	–	–	188	#540
1950	–	–	164	#521
1945	–	–	312	#338
1940	–	–	250	#362
1935	–	–	243	#352
1930	13	#2,457	232	#373
1925	8	#3,768	255	#373
1920	8	#3,707	309	#331
1915	10	#2,749	321	#274
1910	–	–	229	#140
1905	–	–	190	#111
1900	–	–	297	#87
1895	–	–	229	#84
1890	–	–	262	#70
1885	–	–	328	#54
1880	–	–	310	#55

Famous people named Ed

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Ed Gein American murderer and body snatcher (1906–1984) Contemporary
2 Ed Harris American actor and director (born 1950) Contemporary
3 Ed Sheeran English singer-songwriter (born 1991) Contemporary
4 Ed O'Neill American actor (born 1946) Contemporary
5 Ed Skrein English actor and rapper (born 1983) Contemporary
6 Ed Miliband British politician (born 1969) Contemporary
7 Ed Asner American actor (1929–2021) Contemporary
8 Ed Helms American actor and comedian (born 1974) Contemporary
9 Ed Begley Jr. American actor and activist (born 1949) Contemporary
10 Ed Sullivan American host and columnist (1901–1974) Contemporary
11 Ed Westwick English actor and musician (born 1987) Contemporary
12 Ed Koch Mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989 1924–2013 · Contemporary
13 Ed McMahon American television announcer (1923–2009) Contemporary
14 Ed Wood American filmmaker, actor and author (1924–1978) Contemporary
15 Ed Wynn American actor and comedian (1886–1966) 19th century
16 Ed White American astronaut (1930–1967) Contemporary
17 Ed Begley American actor (1901–1970) Contemporary
18 Ed Lauter American actor (1938–2013) Contemporary
19 Ed Boon American video game producer b. 1964 · Contemporary
20 Ed King American rock musician (1949–2018) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ed, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Ed?

The median living Ed is about 65 years old. Half of all living Eds are between 60 and 74 years old.

How many people named Ed are alive today?

An estimated 8,700 people named Ed are alive in the United States, based on 26,370 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Ed mean?

A diminutive of Edward, Edgar, Edwin, or other male given names beginning with Ed-.

How popular is the name Ed in 2025?

Ed did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Ed?

26,370 babies have been named Ed in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Ed most popular?

Ed peaked in 1959, when 696 newborns received the name.

Is Ed a boy or girl name?

Ed is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Ed rising or falling?

Ed is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Ed?

Well-known people named Ed include Ed Gein (extremist), Ed Harris (actor), Ed Sheeran (singer).

Names like Ed

Names that sound and feel close to Ed: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Ed with similar names → More names starting with E →