| Edward | Jack | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Wealthy guardian | God is gracious |
| Origin | English | English |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | ED-werd | JAK |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1924 (21,126) | 1927 (12,802) |
| In 2025 | 1,591 | 8,748 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Edward | Jack |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10,370 | 53,384 |
| 2010s | 25,263 | 85,695 |
| 2000s | 30,833 | 95,512 |
| 1990s | 45,164 | 37,501 |
| 1980s | 60,832 | 15,944 |
| 1970s | 83,425 | 18,562 |
| 1960s | 143,984 | 35,593 |
| 1950s | 188,323 | 62,387 |
| 1940s | 174,801 | 73,919 |
| 1930s | 147,849 | 96,396 |
| 1920s | 197,348 | 115,983 |
| 1910s | 125,720 | 49,526 |
| 1900s | 24,516 | 9,222 |
| 1890s | 22,033 | 4,635 |
| 1880s | 23,133 | 2,684 |
Edward is an Old English name meaning “wealthy guardian,” from ēad (“wealth, fortune”) and weard (“guard”). An Anglo-Saxon royal name, it has been carried by saints and many English kings.
Jack began as a medieval pet form of John and grew so common it became a word for “man” (as in “every man Jack”). Now a name in its own right, it is one of the most popular boys’ names in Britain and Ireland.
Jack is more popular than Edward today: about 8,748 US babies were given the name Jack in 2025, compared with 1,591 named Edward.
Edward means Wealthy guardian (English origin), while Jack means God is gracious (English origin).
In US records, Edward first appears in 1880 and Jack in 1880, so Edward has the longer recorded history.