Editor’s note: This post was originally published on February 15, 2009. It was substantially revised and re-posted on November 18, 2013.
Is she a granny chic choice poised for revival, or one best left in the past?
Thanks to Lola for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Edith.
Edith has never fallen out of the US Top 1000. They say it takes a century for a name to sound fresh again, so Edith could be overdue – she peaked at #26 in 1894.
Edith remained quite popular through the 1930s. Maybe that’s the problem – many of us know an aged Edith. And, of course, All in the Family’s Edith Bunker conjures up the image of a housecoat-clad hausfrau.
But consider these medieval bearers of the name:
- Tenth century Saint Edith of Polesworth was born royal, but ended her life as a Benedictine nun.
- Saint Edith of Wilton was the illegitimate daughter of England’s King Edgar. After her brother was murdered, English nobles offered her the crown – but she wasn’t interested.
- The eleventh century King Edmund Ironside married an Edith.
- So did King Edward the Confessor – but his queen was powerful in her own right. When Edward died childless, her brother Harold took the crown.
- The Norman King Henry I chose an Edith descended from the earlier Anglo-Saxon royals for his bride, in order to cement ties to the throne. For reasons which are unclear, this Edith was crowned Matilda.
She slowly fell out of favor, but was revived during the nineteenth century. That’s when our list of famous Ediths resumes:
- Edith Wharton grew up among the most privileged families in nineteenth century America. She chronicled their lives, becoming the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for literature. That’s her photo above.
- Edith Roosevelt was First Lady of the United States from 1901 to 1909.
- Jewish intellectual Edith Stein converted to Catholicism late in life. Saint Edith died at Auschwitz.
- British nurse Edith Cavell cared for soldiers from all nations during World War I, but was executed after helping Allied forces escape from Belgium.
- French singer Édith Piaf lends the name romance. “La vie en rose” cemented Piaf as France’s greatest singer.
- Costume designer Edith Head won eight Academy Awards – more than any other woman.
- Dame Edith Sitwell was an eccentric, indie darling of a poet.
- Edie Sedgwick was part of Andy Warhol’s artistic troupe.
She begins as an Old English clunker. But she slowly transforms to, as Lola puts it, a bohemian choice. Nickname Edie makes this one as wearable for a child as an adult.
And yet, she’s been eclipsed by Eden. Edith hit an all-time low of #843 in 2009. Since then she’s recovered, charting at #762 in 2012. Still, that’s a far cry from the Top 100 place she occupied from the 1880s into the 1930s.
This could throw open a window to use Edith, confident that she’ll blend in with Hazel and Josephine, Clara and Stella. One of the little girls in the Despicable Me movies is Edith, a sister for Agnes and Margo.
If you’re looking for something a little bit quirky but still undeniably enduring, the regal, heroic and artistic Edith is one to consider.
Ooh, I do like Edith. I agree with everything kate said, and the references to Sitwell, Piaf and Sedgewick sit well with me 🙂
I pop her in the same boat as my old love Clara and newer love of Ada. I just don’t think I’d use her myself for some reason?
PS- Lola: I adore Edith Viola Petronel! She’s very charming, in a creative kinda way!
Edith—hm. Now that I think about it, I really like it. I really do. It’s funky and edgy, but in a quiet way. It also has that feminine yet strong feel that I love so much in names, with some cool namesakes as an added bonus (I’ll have to read up more on Saint Edith of Wilton, she sounds like a character). Lola, I think you should use this, it’s so perfect for you and sounds lovely with Josephine. Don’t know if I’d use it myself, though; I’ll add it to my long list and see if my infatuation with it sticks.
interesting choice! I love the delicate, airy but somehow substantial sound of girls’ names that end with -ith
EE-dith. eh-DEET. The second pronunciation I hear quite a bit more often, since most of the Ediths I know are Hispanics under 30. Not a name I would choose, but I think the nn Edie blends right in with a lot of names that are rising in popularity. Quite a varied list of famous bearers.
I’m loving Edith- I love the nn Edie, it’s chic, old-timey sound, and the fact that it’s not too common. Also, there are so many cool Ediths, like Wharton and Sitwell, which are mentioned. I’m not brave enough to use it as a first, but as a middle definitely.
Edith is awesome! She’s climbing my lists really quickly, I think she’s going to end up #2, right behind Maud. She’s regal, pretty, really creative feeling and just starchy enough to really appeal to me! I have a tie for combos, Edith Zenobia Violet & Edith Viola Petronel and am leaving it as such for now, I couldn’t decide if my life depended on it. Edie is just too cute! Edith Warton is almost always my first thought, Edith Roosevelt & Edith Piaf are always next and Edith Sitwell is an awesome association! My favorite bit of hers:
“Said the Sun to the Moon-‘When you are but a lonely white crone,
And I, a dead King in my golden armour somewhere in a dark wood,
Remember only this of our hopeless love
That never till Time is done
Will the fire of the heart and the fire of the mind be one.'”
Awesome imagery!
Yep, Edith is definitely usable and to me, completely appealling! Huzzah for Edith!
I love Edith and Maud (this spelling especially) too. I’m such a fan of consonant-y girls’ names. Given the revival of names that seem similar to Edith (e.g., Hazel as mentioned), I’m surprised she’s stuck so far down in the Top 1000, but I’m sure her day is coming around again.
I can’t say it’s “ruined,” but I’m right there with photoquilty about the Bunkers – I can’t help but hear that high, nasal voice…. but, if pushed, I also agree with Kate – Edith trumps Eden… I’m just not sure I really like Edith all that much. Edie definitely helps a lot, but I don’t know that it makes up for my lack of enthusiasm for the full name.
Edith is so much nicer than Eden – in my opinion anyway. I imagine an Edith to have real spunk and an independant spirit and think that you’ve positioned her perfectly with the likes of Hazel, Clara and Stella, all a bit clunky and a bit boho but undeniably pretty. Edith isn’t for me though, I don’t know why, just one of those names you like on other people but not enough to choose I guess…
I think the Bunkers ruined this one for me! 😉
I adore Edith. I think Edie would make her completely useable to most people; it’s practically Addie. Eden, on the other hand, makes me gag a bit.