The name Edward is of Old English origin, meaning 'wealthy guard'. It is composed of two elements: 'ead' which means wealth, fortune, and 'weard', a guardian or protector. The name was borne by several early saints and kings in England and on the European continent during the Middle Ages, contributing to its widespread popularity over centuries.
The name Edwards experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable peak of 13 births in 1923 and again in 1957. However, it generally maintained an average of around 5-7 births per year since 1912, with a total of 410 births recorded up until 2021. The most recent years show a slight increase in popularity, with 7 births in 2021.