Comments
Meaning
Usage
Pronunciation
Famous
Impression
Other
Honestly, I think Edna is a beautiful name. It is classy, mature, and holds a lovely meaning. You have to admit that it would be an adorable name for a little girl. It's such a nice and charming name.
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Edna is also used in Brazil. I even know a few Brazilian Ednas. I've never heard of it being used in Portugal, though.
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Edna Mae Harris (1914 – 1997), sometimes credited as Edna May Harris, was an American actress and singer. Harris, an African–American, was film actress in the late 1930s and early 1940s, appearing in films featuring mostly African–American casts.
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Edna Mae Robinson (1915 – 2002) was an American dancer, actress, and activist. She was a dancer at the Cotton Club and toured Europe with Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. She later became a public figure when she married the boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, appearing on the first cover of Jet magazine in 1951. Robinson made her Broadway debut in an all-Black version of Born Yesterday in 1953.
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Also Hebrew [noted -ed]
Hebrew transcription:עדנה
However, it is considered old-fashioned and uncommon generally speaking
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%92%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%9F
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%9C
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%92%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%A0%D7%99
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA
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Hebrew transcription:עדנה
However, it is considered old-fashioned and uncommon generally speaking
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%92%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%9F
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%9C
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%92%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%A0%D7%99
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%A0%D7%94_%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA
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I'm honestly surprised by all the negativity towards this name and the fact that everyone seems to associate it with frumpy old ladies. I find it an elegant and beautiful name. If anything, it sounds youthful to me, probably because I associate it with the character Edna from the video game Tales of Zestiria (2015), who looks like a young girl.
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Also Bosnian: https://www.behindthename.com/name/edna/top/bosnia
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Also Portuguese: https://www.behindthename.com/name/edna/top/brazil
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Edna Ferber (1885 – 1968) was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her novels include the Pulitzer Prize-winning So Big (1924), Show Boat (1926; made into the celebrated 1927 musical), Cimarron (1930; adapted into the 1931 film which won the Academy Award for Best Picture), Giant (1952; made into the 1956 film of the same name) and Ice Palace (1958), which also received a film adaptation in 1960. She helped adapt her short story "Old Man Minick", published in 1922, into a play (Minick) and it was thrice adapted to film, in 1925 as the silent film Welcome Home, in 1932 as The Expert, and in 1939 as No Place to Go.
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Edna Ermyntrude "Ermie" Bourne was a politician from Barbados who was the first woman to be elected to the House of Assembly of Barbados. In the 1951 general election, Bourne was elected to represent the parish of St. Andrew and served until 1961.
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"NURSE" Edna is a character from the computer game "Maniac Mansion", which was made by Lucas Arts in 1987!
She ALSO appeared in the SEQUEL, which is called "Day Of The Tentacle", which was made in 1993!
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She ALSO appeared in the SEQUEL, which is called "Day Of The Tentacle", which was made in 1993!
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Eddie, Eddy and Edie could work as nicknames.
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Edna Pahewa is a New Zealand weaver. She affiliates with the iwi Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and Tuhourangi. Her work is held in the permanent collection of Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
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Edna Adan Ismail (Somali: Edna Aadan Ismaaciil ama Adna Aadan Ismaaciil) is a nurse midwife, activist and was the first female Foreign Minister of Somaliland from 2003 to 2006. She previously served as Somaliland's Minister of Family Welfare and Social Development.
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Edna Lewis (1916– 2006) was a renowned American chef, teacher, and author who helped refine the American view of Southern cooking. She championed the use of fresh, in season ingredients and characterized Southern food as fried chicken (pan-, not deep-fried), pork, and fresh vegetables – most especially greens. She wrote and co-wrote four books which covered Southern cooking and life in a small community of freed slaves and their descendants.
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I prefer Eden.
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I like old names and it's kind of cute.
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Personally, I don't find it an overly ugly name, but I'm not passionate about it either. I don't know how to explain it, I just don't have a very strong opinion of Edna. In general, I just like it. I see it as a good name for a lady or a mother, but not so much for a little girl. It depends on the age, I would say. But the name is not bad, there are people who directly hate it, I don't see it that much. Honestly and without offense, I would rather give my daughter Edna than other "modern" sounding names out there, like Poppy, Kaycee or Harmony. No offense.
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Super ugly name, and sounds like egg.
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Ugly name.
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Also Hungarian: https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edna
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Horrible, horrible name...
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Gender: Feminine
Usage: Irish, Scottish, English, Biblical
Scripts: עֶדְנָה (Ancient Hebrew), Εδνα (Greek)
Pronounced: EHD-nə (English)
Meaning: Irish and Scottish variant form of EITHNE derived from the Hebrew word meaning "pleasure". This name appears in the Old Testament Apocrypha in the Book of Tobit, as well as English translations of the Septuagint Bible in which it serves as a transcription of Adnah.
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Usage: Irish, Scottish, English, Biblical
Scripts: עֶדְנָה (Ancient Hebrew), Εδνα (Greek)
Pronounced: EHD-nə (English)
Meaning: Irish and Scottish variant form of EITHNE derived from the Hebrew word meaning "pleasure". This name appears in the Old Testament Apocrypha in the Book of Tobit, as well as English translations of the Septuagint Bible in which it serves as a transcription of Adnah.
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My name is Edna. I often dislike my name and wonder why my parents would name me this. I'm just a teenager, and I am often teased because of the "Ask Edna" commercial with the old lady and the woman from the Incredibles. I agree Edna is seen as a mature and more formal name, and I haven't met any people close to my age with this name. I go by "Eddie" most of the time, but I can't avoid my regular name. People around me are used to it but it's still hard to tell other people. Perhaps this name will be pretty in another generation, but not mine. I know I have to appreciate the meaning but it's still hard being teased about it. My race also makes people wonder why I am named this way. I would have preferred Edana or Edina or something more modern but it is what it is. I do not recommend this name right now, but I'm sure soon it can be seen as vintage and beautiful.
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There is a character named Edna in the TV show Downton Abbey.
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I think it's old-fashioned in a pretty way.
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In Macedonia:
Edna (female) means one
Eden (Male) same one.
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Edna (female) means one
Eden (Male) same one.
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My middle name is Edna and was named after 2 of my great grandmothers. I am in my early 20’s and have just recently started digging into the origin of my name, I started doing some digging due to a family dysfunction I had to get away from, now my mother probably regrets giving me this name as it is the family name and I ran off with it. I’ll do some digging into my last name at another time. I am more curious about the name “Edna.” A lot of people might say I’m just a rebellious, stuck up girl that doesn’t want to listen to the elders in her family. On the contrary, I did listen, but no one listened. Doing the next best thing was/ is the hardest thing to do, however I’m getting by.
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The name Edna creates for me a silent but radiant impression of a lively awakening. Maybe it's because of what it means to me (Rejuvenation, delight, pleasure). Yes, I felt that subtle ancient-ness in the name until its meaning (in my search for something to capture the desired experience in my heart) got me breathing relief. Since names mean something personal to the giver especially when it's a parental wish to a child; a gift of essence/aura to go on through life as well as giving life a meaning by one's flavour, I wouldn't want to live by people pressure but be driven by the purpose (meaning) the name bestows on me. I actually thought Eden would do me the honours but can't say if (apart from pleasure and delight) it captures my main purpose for naming/christening (Rejuvenation). And I love the way Edna sounds. It's easier said than 'Eden'.
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I personally don't have a very strong opinion concerning the name Edna. I suppose for a broader portion of society,
the name may extend a rather "elderly" image that has yet to go away. I think that within a few years to possibly a
decade from now, say the 2030s, the name Edna may have a vintage appeal that a new family may want for their child.
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the name may extend a rather "elderly" image that has yet to go away. I think that within a few years to possibly a
decade from now, say the 2030s, the name Edna may have a vintage appeal that a new family may want for their child.
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In 2018, 83 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Edna who is registered female with the Social Security Administration. It is the 434th most common female first name for living U.S. citizens.
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It's a strong name for a strong woman.
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When I was a little girl I hated my name "Edna". When I was older my mother informed me that I was named after a college girlfriend my Uncle had, in Puerto Rico Edna was not too common. When I reached adulthood I realized the meaning of my name and its origins. English, Scottish, Irish & Hebrew. Finding this out I was able to learn how to appreciate the name. My name is Edna Rosa! And I'm proud of the name now. Ednita Nazario is a Puerto Rican singer and her name derives from Edna.
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'Edna Marie Mode' is a fictional character in the movies The Incredibles (2004) and Incredibles 2 (2018). Google it. She has to be in the fictional characters list about the name EDNA. Thank me later.
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On the sitcom That '70s Show, Steven Hyde’s mother’s name is Edna.
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I was just discussing old fashioned names coming back in style and joked that my middle name, Edna, didn't seem to be making a comeback.
There's cool family history behind my name. I was embarrassed by it as a kid but I have grown to appreciate being named after two great aunts. Each of my parents had an Aunt Edna. Each of them were born approximately 1910, and each became a registered nurse specializing in obstetrics. One of them was the attending nurse at my birth. I am kind of sad reading other posts looking down on dowdy old women named Edna. I knew more Ednas than just my aunts and each of them were a powerhouse in their own way. None of us ask to be named Edna. I'm proud to share the stories and legacies of my Ednas.
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There's cool family history behind my name. I was embarrassed by it as a kid but I have grown to appreciate being named after two great aunts. Each of my parents had an Aunt Edna. Each of them were born approximately 1910, and each became a registered nurse specializing in obstetrics. One of them was the attending nurse at my birth. I am kind of sad reading other posts looking down on dowdy old women named Edna. I knew more Ednas than just my aunts and each of them were a powerhouse in their own way. None of us ask to be named Edna. I'm proud to share the stories and legacies of my Ednas.
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The name Edna was given to 76 girls born in the US in 2015.
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As someone who was cursed with this name, please, I beg of you, if you love your child, please do not place this awful name upon them. I am certain my life would have been very different had my name been anything else. I was only able to forgive my mother after she died for putting this God awful name upon me.
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Woah, that's very extreme.
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Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote some truly wonderful poetry, but if I wanted to name a child after her, I'd probably call her "Millay" rather than "Edna".
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Edna "E" Mode is a character in The Incredibles movie by Pixar.
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This was my grandmother's name- often shortened to 'Ed'. There must be hardly any Edna's under 80 though, so it's understandable that the name makes people think of an old lady. It is difficult to even imagine a tiny baby with the name Edna. I don't see this name making a comeback like the softer sounding 'old fashioned' names like Grace and Ruby have.
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The only Edna I know is my 84 year old great aunt... I still like the name, even if it puts you in mind of an old lady.
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I am new to the site, and was so surprised to see people expressing their disapprovals of names... then I saw that behindthename actually asks others to give their personal impressions of names. My name is Edna. I was born in 1940. While I suppose I am now an "old lady," I don't think it's anyone's place to tell me so, or tell me what they think of my name. In fact, I have always been rather uncomfortable with my name, but decided not to change it, as it is the name my mother gave me.
While the color is gone from some of my hair, and I am less vigorous than previously, I'm not an "old granny" or someone who cannot get out of the way of all those horseless carriages you young people race around in so sinfully, drinking and smoking and watching moving pictures and such things. Tch tch.
Really... must people take themselves and their opinions and impressions so seriously? Any name will have a certain number of people for whom the name has ugly associations. That's right: any name, every name, even your name.
I appreciate those who wrote of pleasant associations. After all Edna = Pleasure.
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While the color is gone from some of my hair, and I am less vigorous than previously, I'm not an "old granny" or someone who cannot get out of the way of all those horseless carriages you young people race around in so sinfully, drinking and smoking and watching moving pictures and such things. Tch tch.
Really... must people take themselves and their opinions and impressions so seriously? Any name will have a certain number of people for whom the name has ugly associations. That's right: any name, every name, even your name.
I appreciate those who wrote of pleasant associations. After all Edna = Pleasure.
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Edna's a cute, vintage name. ☺ I love the fact it's Irish, I love the meaning "kernel" and I love the way it sounds and all. ☺
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In the Deuterocanonical Books of the Bible (known to Protestants as the "Apocrypha"), in the Book of Tobit, Edna is the wife of Raguel and the mother of Sarah (also spelled Sara). Sarah marries Tobias (Tobiah), the son of Tobit (for whom the Book of Tobit is named) and his wife Anna.
You can read more about the Book of Tobit here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Tobit
And for those interested, here is the text of the Book of Tobit:
King James Version (1611): http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611_Tobit-Chapter-1/
Revised Standard Version: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/r/rsv/rsv-idx?type=DIV1&byte=3785365
Also, the name Edna shares the same Hebrew root as Eden.
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You can read more about the Book of Tobit here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Tobit
And for those interested, here is the text of the Book of Tobit:
King James Version (1611): http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611_Tobit-Chapter-1/
Revised Standard Version: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/r/rsv/rsv-idx?type=DIV1&byte=3785365
Also, the name Edna shares the same Hebrew root as Eden.
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I agree with most of the comments, it does remind me of an old lady but even so, I kind of like it and I would much prefer to see Edna being used than Mildred, Millicent, or Beatrice. I think it becomes more usable when you pair it with comtemporary names like Kate or Harper.
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The name Edna has not completely died out in the US. In 2012, it was given to 88 baby girls here.
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The name Edna is a baby girl name. The name Edna is not derived from other names and is not a Germanic form of Anne or Edwina as previously stated. It is derived from the word Eden which is the garden in the first book of the Bible.
Anne is already a Germanic name in its own right. Edwina is English / American.
Edna is a name in its own right and is from the following places:
Celtic Meaning:
The name Edna is a Celtic baby name. In Celtic the meaning of the name Edna is: Fire.
American Meaning:
The name Edna is an American baby name. In American the meaning of the name Edna is: Fire.
English Meaning:
The name Edna is an English baby name. In English the meaning of the name Edna is: meaning wealthy friend, or rich in friendship.
Hebrew Meaning:
The name Edna is a Hebrew baby name. In Hebrew the meaning of the name Edna is: Rejuvenation, pleasure; delight. Derived from the same word as the biblical Garden of Eden.
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Anne is already a Germanic name in its own right. Edwina is English / American.
Edna is a name in its own right and is from the following places:
Celtic Meaning:
The name Edna is a Celtic baby name. In Celtic the meaning of the name Edna is: Fire.
American Meaning:
The name Edna is an American baby name. In American the meaning of the name Edna is: Fire.
English Meaning:
The name Edna is an English baby name. In English the meaning of the name Edna is: meaning wealthy friend, or rich in friendship.
Hebrew Meaning:
The name Edna is a Hebrew baby name. In Hebrew the meaning of the name Edna is: Rejuvenation, pleasure; delight. Derived from the same word as the biblical Garden of Eden.
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Sounds harsh with the NA sound. And the d and n. Also makes people think it's an 'old lady name'. Good (?) combinations are
- Vivienne Edna
- Leanne Edna
- Dianne Edna
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- Vivienne Edna
- Leanne Edna
- Dianne Edna
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I cannot escape the association with designer Edna "E" Mode (voiced by Brad Bird) of the film "The Incredibles." She is a direct, diminutive in stature, eccentric, no-nonsense lass... and I adore her-- "No capes!" Consequently or not, the name itself shares my pleasure, and in reaction has found itself a slot on my "Favorites List." I truly would consider naming a child this... but there are many variables, including of how well it would be accepted.
The hate all previous posters have expressed is surprising to me, actually. I find the name classically beautiful, charming, cosmopolitan, ageless, professional and mature without appearing too wickedly out of place on a young girl.
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The hate all previous posters have expressed is surprising to me, actually. I find the name classically beautiful, charming, cosmopolitan, ageless, professional and mature without appearing too wickedly out of place on a young girl.
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I never liked this name, but I really hate it now because my name (Edina) is constantly confused with it. Teachers can keep track of which variant of Caitlin belongs to who, but can't notice the 'I' dead center in my name.
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I'm surprised to see that no one has yet mentioned Dame Edna Everage - the character played by Australian actor Barry Humphries (born 1934).
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Edna Purviance-famous as Charlie Chaplin's first leading lady.
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I like this name. However, it's very old ladyish, considering it was the name of my great-grandmother who died a couple of years ago. Even so, I can see it making a comeback sooner than Mildred or Bertha.
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Way too old-fashioned for me. I imagine a 90 year-old granny when I hear this name.
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There is a children's book about a girl named Cinderedna, who goes by Edna. She lives next door to Cinderella, who goes by Ella, and has the same problems (evil stepmother and stepsisters) but handles them in a more rational and productive way (She takes the bus after the clock strikes midnight, wears loafers instead of glass slippers).
I associate this name with oatmeal for unknown reasons.
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I associate this name with oatmeal for unknown reasons.
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This name sounds hopelessly old-fashioned, and rather makes me think of old, moody women with silly outfits and perms who rant about the young people being so horrible today. The name Enid is actually quite pretty, but Edna even sounds unpleasant.
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Ugh for me. I think it sounds terrible, no offense to anyone, and a definite old-lady vibe.
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Whenever I think of the name Edna I think of Enda Turnblad from hairspray.
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I don't really like this name and I don't think it's cool, it just makes me think of frumpy old grandmothers with their grey hair-dos tied in a bun. When the name was in use, it was as often an English name as an Irish and Scottish name, but it rarely occurs in any English-speaking country nowadays.
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I used to associate this name with Ms. Krabappel until I read The Awakening (awful book LOL). Now I think it's a cool name, mostly because we call my friend R. Edna, for a reason I can't quite comprehend.
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Ellen Burstyn's real name is Edna.
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Edna Krabappel is the teacher of Bart Simpson on The Simpsons.
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There is a novelist named Edna Buchanan.
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Edna St. Vincent Millay is an American poet.
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You mean, she WAS an American poet. She died in like 1960 when she fell down the stairs.
This name's a bit too, I dunno, I know this doesn't seem to make sense, but it's both a bit too dusty AND a bit too spacey for my taste.
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This name's a bit too, I dunno, I know this doesn't seem to make sense, but it's both a bit too dusty AND a bit too spacey for my taste.
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Edna Purviance was Charlie Chaplin's leading lady of his films from 1915 to 1923. To make her a star on her own, Chaplin directed her in the 1923 film 'A Woman of Paris'.
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Edna is my grandmother's name. She had always been told it was an old Germanic form of Anne.
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Edna, or "E," is the name of the costume designer for the "supers" in the Pixar film "The Incredibles."
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'Edna' is a name I'd associate with old ladies.
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Edna is the main character in Kate Chopin's The Awakening.
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Edna is the name of Noah's grandmother and also his great grandmother. Enoch in the Book of Enoch says his wife's name was Edna although in the Book of Jubilee it names her Edni. The Book of Jubilee names Methuselah's wife as Edna. Other sources name them both as Edna.
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Comments are left by users of this website. They are not checked for accuracy.
I think it’s great! I think it would also pair well with a good short sharp name, like Edna Kate or Edna Violet. Nicknames could be Ed, Eddie, Edda, or Nana, I feel :D.