Meaning: Its source is ead weard, an Old English name meaning "Wealth protector."

Nickname For: Edgar, Edmund, Edward and Edwin

Popularity: The name Ned ranked 624th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name appears on the 1990 U.S. Census lists, it is used by only a small percentage of the general population.

Narrative: Three pre-Conquest and eight post-Conquest English kings have borne the name Edward, and the name is found in the English royal household to this day. This is remarkable because the Normans brought in their French names (Roger, William, Richard and many others) and entirely wiped out many older Germanic names (such as Eofor, Goda and Wulfwig.)

Edward's continuation can be attributed to the influence of Edward the Confessor, who ruled England early in the 11th century. An Anglo-Saxon king with Norman connections, he was esteemed by both peoples. When he died without an heir, rival claimants arose on both sides of the Channel; William of Normandy prevailed in the war that followed.

Within three generations, a Norman king was named Edward in honor of the Confessor.