Edson is a name of Brazilian origin, derived from the city of São Paulo named after Saint Edmund. Saint Edmund was an Anglo-Saxon king who died in battle against the Danes around the year 870. He is venerated as a martyr and patron saint of England.
The name Edson gained popularity in Brazil due to its association with the city of São Paulo, which was founded by Portuguese explorer Manuel da Nóbrega and named after Saint Paul on January 25, 1532. The city's name eventually became synonymous with the name Edson, and thus, the name has been widely used among Brazilian families.
In terms of its meaning, there is no specific symbolic significance attributed to the name Edson beyond its historical connection to Saint Edmund and the city of São Paulo. It is simply a given name that has been popularized by its association with these historical figures and locations.
Throughout history, many notable individuals have carried the name Edson. Some examples include Brazilian football player and coach Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, and American astronaut Edgar Mitchell, whose middle name was Edson. However, these individuals are not directly related to the origin or meaning of the name itself.
In summary, Edson is a Brazilian given name with historical roots in Saint Edmund and the city of São Paulo. Its meaning is derived from its association with these figures and locations, without any additional symbolic significance. Despite its popularity in Brazil, Edson has been adopted by families around the world as a meaningful and unique name choice for their children.
The name Edson experienced a notable increase in popularity from the late 19th century onwards, with the first significant spike occurring around 1912-1914 (peaking at 36 births in 1915). It remained relatively popular until the mid-1950s, with fluctuations ranging from a low of 7 births in 1952 to a high of 37 births in 1986. However, it saw a dramatic resurgence starting around 1993, reaching an all-time high of 121 births in 2019 and remaining consistently popular with over 80 births annually since then.