Edgar

How to say it

ˈɛd.ɡər

What it means

From the Old English ead, 'wealth, fortune,' plus gar, 'spear.'

Edgar joins the Old English ead, 'wealth' or 'fortune,' to gar, 'spear,' so 'fortunate spear.' A 10th-century English king carried it, and Edgar Allan Poe gave it a dark literary glamour. It is also a steady favorite across Latin America. Ed and Eddie are the shorts. Said ED-gar.

How to spell Edgar

The standard spelling is Edgar. Common variants include Édgar, Edgardo, Eadgar, but Edgar is the most widely used form.

Heads-up notes

• Nickname

  Ed, Eddie.

• Pop culture

  Writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

• Edgar Allan Poe American writer and poet, master of gothic and mystery fiction
• Edgar Degas French Impressionist painter

Spelling variants

• Édgar
• Edgardo
• Eadgar

Names with the same feeling

• Edward Wealthy guardian
• Edwin Rich friend
• Oscar Spear of the gods, or 'deer-lover'
• Arthur Bear, possibly 'bear-king'
• Walter Ruler of the army

See Edgar from another angle

Common questions

What does the name Edgar mean?

From the Old English ead, 'wealth, fortune,' plus gar, 'spear.'

What does Edgar mean in English?

In English, Edgar means "Wealthy spear." Edgar joins the Old English ead, 'wealth' or 'fortune,' to gar, 'spear,' so 'fortunate spear.' A 10th-century English king carried it, and Edgar Allan Poe gave it a dark literary glamour. It is also a steady favorite across Latin America. Ed and Eddie are the shorts. Said ED-gar.

How do you pronounce Edgar?

Edgar is pronounced ˈɛd.ɡər. Say it as ED-gar, with the stress on the "ed" syllable.

How do you spell Edgar?

The standard spelling is Edgar. Common spelling variants include Édgar, Edgardo, Eadgar.

Is Edgar a boy or girl name?

Edgar is traditionally a masculine name.

How popular is the name Edgar?

Edgar ranked #486 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.