| Edward | Jackson | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Wealthy guardian | Son of Jack |
| Origin | English | English |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | ED-werd | JAK-sun |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1924 (21,126) | 2013 (12,610) |
| In 2025 | 1,591 | 6,582 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Edward | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10,370 | 47,360 |
| 2010s | 25,263 | 116,264 |
| 2000s | 30,833 | 94,488 |
| 1990s | 45,164 | 23,595 |
| 1980s | 60,832 | 3,224 |
| 1970s | 83,425 | 1,580 |
| 1960s | 143,984 | 992 |
| 1950s | 188,323 | 1,347 |
| 1940s | 174,801 | 1,791 |
| 1930s | 147,849 | 1,713 |
| 1920s | 197,348 | 2,327 |
| 1910s | 125,720 | 1,453 |
| 1900s | 24,516 | 404 |
| 1890s | 22,033 | 311 |
| 1880s | 23,133 | 371 |
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.
Jackson is an English surname meaning “son of Jack (John).” Associated with figures such as President Andrew Jackson, it has surged as a first name in recent decades.
Jackson is more popular than Edward today: about 6,582 US babies were given the name Jackson in 2025, compared with 1,591 named Edward.
Edward means Wealthy guardian (English origin), while Jackson means Son of Jack (English origin).
In US records, Edward first appears in 1880 and Jackson in 1880, so Edward has the longer recorded history.