Edna

I have to say, I did not start with a strong impression of Edna, maybe vaguely negative about the short stopping sound, but after reading all these comments, I think I quite like it! The meaning and history is profound, relating to Eden, and it really puts off a strong but elegant feeling, like anyone with the name is steadfast and could take on the world with class, haha

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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.

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.

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.

I prefer Eden.

I like old names and it's kind of cute.

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.

Super ugly name, and sounds like egg.

Ugly name.

Horrible, horrible name...

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.

I think it's old-fashioned in a pretty way.

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.

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'.

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.

It's a strong name for a strong woman.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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I appreciate those who wrote of pleasant associations. After all Edna = Pleasure.

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. ☺

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.

The name Edna has not completely died out in the US. In 2012, it was given to 88 baby girls here.

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

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.

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.

Way too old-fashioned for me. I imagine a 90 year-old granny when I hear this name.

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.

Ugh for me. I think it sounds terrible, no offense to anyone, and a definite old-lady vibe.

Whenever I think of the name Edna I think of Enda Turnblad from hairspray.

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.

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.

'Edna' is a name I'd associate with old ladies.