Eduard is a name of German origin, derived from the Old Germanic elements "ead" meaning wealthy or prosperous, and "hard" which means strong or brave. The name Eduard is therefore interpreted to mean "prosperous guard" or "noble guardian".
The name Eduard has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Emperor Charles V, who was born Karl von Habsburg but was commonly known as Carlos I in Spain and Eduard I in the Netherlands. He ruled over a vast empire that included Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, and parts of Italy from 1519 to 1556.
Another notable figure with the name Eduard was Eduard VIII, who was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions from January 20, 1936 until his abdication on December 11, 1936. He is remembered for giving up his throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who was twice divorced.
In literature, Eduard is also a character in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's play "Faust," where he appears as the son of Faust and Gretchen. The name has also been used by several authors, including Eduard Mörike, a German poet and novelist, and Édouard Glissant, a Martiniquais poet, novelist, and philosopher.
Today, Eduard remains a popular name in many European countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is often used as an alternative to the more traditional Edward or Edoardo. Despite its historical roots, the name Eduard has maintained a modern and sophisticated feel, making it a timeless choice for parents looking for a strong and meaningful name for their son.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Eduard in the United States, we can observe several trends over time.
From the early 1900s to the mid-1950s, the number of births with the name Eduard varied significantly from year to year. For instance, there were only 6 births in 1902 and then a gap until 1915 when there were 7 births. The numbers fluctuated between 5 to 16 births per year during this period.
From the late 1950s onwards, we start to see an increase in the popularity of the name Eduard. In 1959, there were 16 births, followed by 20 births in 1960 and 18 births in 1961. This trend continues with peaks in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching a high of 24 births in 1970.
However, after the mid-1970s, the popularity of the name Eduard starts to decline. The number of births drops from 17 in 1980 to as low as 9 in 1978 and 12 in 1979. This low point persists until the late 1980s.
In the early 1990s, there's a resurgence of the name Eduard with numbers increasing from 23 births in 1991 to 27 births in both 1997 and 1998. This popularity continues into the new millennium, with over 24 births each year between 2000 and 2005.
Since then, the name Eduard has maintained a consistent level of popularity, with an average of around 30 to 40 births per year from 2006 to 2023. The highest point in this period was in 2016 with 39 births, and the lowest was in 2012 with 26 births.
In total, there have been 1807 births with the name Eduard in the United States since records began. These statistics provide a comprehensive overview of the name's popularity over time, demonstrating that while it has seen periods of fluctuation and decline, overall, it has maintained a consistent level of popularity throughout much of the 20th century and into the 21st century.