Edric is a unique and distinctive male given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Old Welsh elements "Eudr" meaning "prosperity" or "wealth," and "ic" which denotes a personal name suffix. Thus, Edric translates to "having wealth" or "fortunate." The name gained prominence during the Middle Ages due to its association with several historical figures, most notably Edwin, King of Northumbria from 616 to 632 AD. In Welsh literature, Edric is also notable as the name of a character in the medieval poem "Owain, or the Lady of the Fountain." Today, Edric remains relatively uncommon, contributing to its unique and intriguing allure.
The name Edric has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, as reflected by the annual birth statistics provided.
In the early to mid-20th century, from 1914 to 1972, there were fewer than 30 births of Edric per year, with fluctuations between 5 and 24 births annually. However, starting in 1973, there was a notable increase in the number of babies named Edric each year.
From 1973 to 2002, the annual birth numbers ranged from 16 to 32, with a peak of 32 births recorded in 2004. This period marked a significant rise in the popularity of the name Edric compared to earlier decades.
Beginning in 2003, there was a further increase in the number of babies named Edric each year, reaching an all-time high of 137 births in 2018. The years 2016 to 2022 also saw relatively high numbers of newborns named Edric, with between 41 and 66 births per year.
In total, from the available data spanning over a century, there have been 1,624 babies named Edric born in the United States. These statistics demonstrate that while Edric was not among the most common names throughout much of the 20th century, its popularity has grown notably since the late 1970s and has remained relatively high in recent years.
It is interesting to observe how trends in naming have changed over time, as reflected by the varying popularity of the name Edric. The data also serves as a useful tool for those seeking unique or less common names for their children while providing insight into historical naming patterns in the United States.