Ned
Say it: NED/ˈnɛd/
BoyMeans a pet form of Edward, which means "rich guardian"3 letters1 syllable
#272
in Ireland (2025)
#264 with spellings combined
16
babies in 2025
#193
best rank (2021)
288
babies since 1989
Up 158
10-year rank change
Ned through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | #264 |
| 2024 | 18 | #238 |
| 2023 | 20 | #220 |
| 2022 | 20 | #233 |
| 2021 | 27 | #193 |
| 2020 | 23 | #208 |
| 2019 | 26 | #202 |
| 2018 | 28 | #199 |
| 2017 | 9 | #394 |
| 2016 | 7 | #448 |
| 2015 | 8 | #422 |
| 2014 | 7 | #468 |
| 2013 | 7 | #448 |
| 2012 | 8 | #430 |
| 2011 | 7 | #455 |
| 2010 | 7 | #448 |
| 2009 | 10 | #366 |
| 2008 | 9 | #386 |
| 2007 | 8 | #374 |
| 2005 | 4 | #448 |
| 2004 | 3 | #506 |
| 2003 | 6 | #337 |
| 2001 | 4 | #347 |
| 1999 | 3 | #379 |
| 1989 | 3 | #307 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Ned mean?
A pet form of Edward, which means "rich guardian"
English, a medieval pet form of Edward, from "mine Ed" heard as "my Ned".
Say it right
NED
The story of Ned
Ned is an old pet form of Edward. It came about in the Middle Ages, when people said “mine Ed” and the “n” slid across to the name, leaving “my Ned”. Ned has also been used for Edmund, Edgar and Edwin. Edward itself is Old English, made from words for wealth and guardian.
Shakespeare uses the name in Henry IV, where Prince Hal calls his friend Poins “sweet Ned”. One of the best-known bearers is Ned Kelly, the Australian outlaw, whose father came from Tipperary.
Ned first appears in the CSO records in 1989. It had most babies in 2018, with 28, and its best rank was number 193 in 2021. In 2025, 16 boys were named Ned. Its cousins Ted and Teddy, also from Edward, have been more popular in recent years.
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Sources
- Wiktionary: Ned (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ned (given name)
- Wiktionary: Edward (English proper noun)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ned | 16 | 288 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #352 (2022); 13 babies since 2012.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.