Boy Old English 2 syllables

Edgar

ED-gar /ˈɛdɡər/

"The wealthy spear" — a name of Saxon kings, gothic mystery, and dark poetic genius

Edgar is derived from the Old English Eadgar, composed of ead (wealth, fortune) and gar (spear), meaning 'wealthy spear.' It was a royal name in Anglo-Saxon England, borne most notably by Edgar the Peaceful, who became the first King of all England. The name gained literary immortality through Edgar Allan Poe, whose dark tales of terror gave Edgar an atmospheric, gothic edge that still resonates. In modern times it has found fresh appeal in Latino communities and among parents drawn to its vintage English character.

Quick Facts

Letters5

SyllablesEd · gar

GenderBoy

OriginOld English

Root WordEadgar

MeaningWealthy spear

PopularityPopular

Peak Year2020

Trend ↑ Rising

Name DayJuly 8

Nicknames EdEddieNed

About the Name Edgar

Edgar means 'wealthy spear,' from the Old English ead (wealth) and gar (spear). In Anglo-Saxon culture, a spear was a symbol of warrior nobility, making this a name of both prosperity and martial strength.

Edgar ranks around #245 in the US and is rising. It is particularly popular in Hispanic communities and is gaining broader appeal as parents rediscover strong, vintage names with literary and historical depth.

Edgar suggests intelligence, intensity, and a darkly creative imagination. The Poe association gives it connotations of literary brilliance and gothic depth, while its Saxon roots suggest grounded strength.

Classic names pair beautifully: Edgar James, Edgar Allan, Edgar William, or Edgar Henry. Single-syllable middles work well, and Allan is a fitting literary nod to Edgar Allan Poe.

Edgar is from the Old English Eadgar, a royal Anglo-Saxon name borne by the first King of a unified England. It spread throughout the English-speaking world and gained new life through Edgar Allan Poe.

Ed is the most common nickname, friendly and casual. Eddie is an affectionate variant. Ned is a historical English nickname (from 'mine Ed') occasionally still used by traditionalists.

Personality of Edgar

Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Edgar

Creativity 88%

Elegance 75%

Independence 85%

Intelligence 90%

Strength 72%

Warmth 68%

Famous People Named Edgar

Edgar Allan Poe

American writer of gothic tales and poetry, including The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher

Edgar Degas

French Impressionist painter celebrated for his studies of ballet dancers and everyday Parisian life

Edgar the Peaceful

10th-century King of all England, the first truly unified ruler of the English nation

Edgar Wright

British film director known for the Cornetto Trilogy including Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz

Middle Names for Edgar

Beautiful combinations that flow well with Edgar

Edgar James Edgar Allan Edgar William Edgar Thomas Edgar Henry Edgar George Edgar Lawrence Edgar Clarence Edgar Vincent Edgar Poe Edgar Lee Edgar Cole

Names Similar to Edgar

Similar Sound

Edward Edmund Edwin

Similar Meaning

Edward Edwin Edmund

Sibling Name Ideas

Edith Clara Herbert

History of Edgar

943 CE

Edgar the Peaceful is born in England, becoming the first King of all England in 959 CE

957 CE

Edgar becomes King of Mercia and Northumbria, unifying Anglo-Saxon England

1809

Edgar Allan Poe is born in Boston, Massachusetts, destined to define American gothic literature

1845

Poe publishes The Raven, his most famous poem, cementing Edgar's dark literary identity

2010s–present

Edgar rises sharply in the US, particularly in Hispanic communities, ranking in the top 250

Numerology & Symbolism of Edgar

Destiny Number

Sum of all letters

Soul Urge

Sum of vowels

♍

Zodiac Affinity

Scorpio

Lucky Number

Personal power digit

🎨

Lucky Color

Midnight Black

💎

Lucky Stone

Onyx

🌸

Lucky Flower

Black Rose

Edgar Around the World

How Edgar is written in different languages and scripts

إدغار

Arabic

エドガー

Japanese

Эдгар

Russian

에드가

Korean

埃德加

Chinese

Έντγκαρ

Greek

एडगर

Hindi

אדגר

Hebrew

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