Edgar Riley

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Edgar Riley — Latin
120K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Edgar Riley is a name that combines Latin origins. The first name Edgar is a masculine given name of Latin origin. Edgar is a commonly used masculine English given name, from an Anglo-Saxon name Edgar (composed of ead "rich, prosperous" and gar "spear"). Like most Anglo-Saxon names, it fell out of use by the Late Middle Ages; it was, however, revived in the 18th century, and was popularised by its use for a character in Sir Walter Scott's The Bride of Lammermoor (1819). The name was more common in the United States than elsewhere in the Anglosphere during the 19th century. It has been a particularly fashionable name in Latin American countries since the 20th century. The surname Riley: Riley is a surname of English origin, as well as an Anglicized version of an Irish surname. The name has the meaning "rye clearing", or is from one of several placenames, including High Riley in Accrington, Lancashire, and in Devon. In the United Kingdom Census 1881, more than a third of Rileys were in Lancashire; it was most prevalent in the east of the county and over the boundary into the Calder Valley in Yorkshire, and the name could be found in these areas from the 13th century. The name is also an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Reilly. Edgar is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 120K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Edgar reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Edgar

Latin

Edgar is a commonly used masculine English given name, from an Anglo-Saxon name Edgar (composed of ead "rich, prosperous" and gar "spear"). Like most Anglo-Saxon names, it fell out of use by the Late Middle Ages; it was, however, revived in the 18th century, and was popularised by its use for a character in Sir Walter Scott's The Bride of Lammermoor (1819). The name was more common in the United States than elsewhere in the Anglosphere during the 19th century. It has been a particularly fashionable name in Latin American countries since the 20th century.

Surname: Riley

Meaning: courageous

Irish

Riley is a surname of English origin, as well as an Anglicized version of an Irish surname. The name has the meaning "rye clearing", or is from one of several placenames, including High Riley in Accrington, Lancashire, and in Devon. In the United Kingdom Census 1881, more than a third of Rileys were in Lancashire; it was most prevalent in the east of the county and over the boundary into the Calder Valley in Yorkshire, and the name could be found in these areas from the 13th century. The name is also an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Reilly.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Edgar is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Edgar by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Edgar Riley

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Edgar Riley:

5
Expression Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

2
Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

3
Personality Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Edgar?
The first name Edgar originates from Latin. Edgar is a commonly used masculine English given name, from an Anglo-Saxon name Edgar (composed of ead "rich, prosperous" and gar "spear"). Like most Anglo-Saxon names, it fell out of use by the Late Middle Ages; it was, however, revived in the 18th century, and was popularised by its use for a character in Sir Walter Scott's The Bride of Lammermoor (1819). The name was more common in the United States than elsewhere in the Anglosphere during the 19th century. It has been a particularly fashionable name in Latin American countries since the 20th century.
When was Edgar most popular?
The name Edgar reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Riley?
The surname Riley originates from Irish. Riley is a surname of English origin, as well as an Anglicized version of an Irish surname. The name has the meaning "rye clearing", or is from one of several placenames, including High Riley in Accrington, Lancashire, and in Devon. In the United Kingdom Census 1881, more than a third of Rileys were in Lancashire; it was most prevalent in the east of the county and over the boundary into the Calder Valley in Yorkshire, and the name could be found in these areas from the 13th century. The name is also an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Reilly.
What are the origins of the name Edgar Riley?
The name Edgar Riley combines two different traditions: the first name Edgar has Latin roots, while the surname Riley originates from Irish.
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