Edwin
Boy name · #398 in 2025 · Distinctive
How old is the name Edwin? In official American birth records, Edwin has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 798 baby boys were named Edwin, placing it at #398 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #312, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 2,256 boys born in 2025 was named Edwin.
The 145-year story
Edwin first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 309 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1922, when 3,827 boys were named Edwin — good for #52 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Edwin per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Edwin against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Edwin in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Edwin is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "distinctive". That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Edwin is most common
Geography matters for names, and Edwin is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Edwin is most common in OR (1.1 per 1,000), MD (1 per 1,000), MN (0.9 per 1,000), SC (0.8 per 1,000), IA (0.8 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.5 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Edwin is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Edwin
Statistically, parents drawn to Edwin tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Alvin, Marvin, Franklin, Wilson, and Lewis.
AlvinMarvinFranklinWilsonLewisCalvinReubenElmer
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Edwin | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 798 | #398 |
| 2024 | 852 | #382 |
| 2023 | 831 | #384 |
| 2022 | 917 | #359 |
| 2021 | 921 | #353 |
| 2020 | 931 | #344 |
| 2019 | 962 | #348 |
| 2018 | 1,005 | #332 |
| 2017 | 1,034 | #332 |
| 2016 | 1,105 | #317 |
| 2015 | 1,149 | #312 |
| 2014 | 1,189 | #298 |
| 2013 | 1,235 | #282 |
| 2012 | 1,308 | #270 |
| 2011 | 1,524 | #235 |
| 2010 | 1,703 | #209 |
| 2009 | 1,980 | #192 |
| 2008 | 2,263 | #175 |
| 2007 | 2,398 | #171 |
| 2006 | 2,672 | #158 |
| 2005 | 2,307 | #178 |
| 2004 | 2,354 | #173 |
| 2003 | 2,171 | #180 |
| 2002 | 2,147 | #179 |
| 2001 | 1,987 | #186 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Edwin?
In official American birth records, the name Edwin first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 309 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Edwin a popular boy name?
Edwin ranked #398 among boys in 2025 with 798 babies given the name — inside the top 500: established but not ubiquitous. Ten years earlier it ranked #312.
When was the name Edwin most popular?
Edwin peaked in 1922, when 3,827 American boys received the name (ranked #52 that year). Since 1922 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Edwin?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 2,256 newborn American boys was named Edwin. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "distinctive".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.