Eden means “delight” and originates from Biblical Hebrew. It has grown into a favored choice for parents who want a gentle, melodic name with ancient roots. For families seeking more naming ideas across different cultural traditions, consulting a guide to baby name meanings provides helpful perspective.
Eden functions as a unisex name given to both girls and boys, carrying a serene quality that fits comfortably into contemporary naming styles. Parents who appreciate lyrical Hebrew names often compare Eden with the Delilah name meaning when looking for feminine choices that share ancient origins.
When considering options for boys, families also evaluate traditional biblical selections alongside Eden. Looking into the Samuel name meaning allows parents to weigh a widely established masculine classic against Eden’s lighter, gender-neutral appeal.
Meaning and Origin
As a given name, Eden is most often given in reference to the Biblical Garden of Eden, meaning delight. The earliest use appears in ancient Israel in the book of Genesis. In Biblical Hebrew, the name is written as עֵדֶן (ʿḗḏen), which may perhaps stem from the Sumerian word 𒂔 (edin), meaning steppe or garden. It exists as a unisex given name for both boys and girls, and also as a female given name taken from the biblical place name.
Other origins and meanings are associated with the name across English history. When used as a boy’s name, Eden might be a variant of the name Aidan. It may also derive from the surname Eden, which developed from the Old English word elements ēad, meaning wealth, and hún, meaning bear cub. The older form of the name was Edon or Edun.
As an English girl’s name, Eden also originated as a diminutive form of the name Edith that was in use in Yorkshire in the 1400s. In addition, it served as a medieval diminutive of Old English compound names beginning with the element ēad, meaning riches. A 1986 literary example appears in Barbara Vine’s novel A Dark-Adapted Eye, where a character notes calling Edith Eden because that is what she called herself before she could pronounce ‘th’.
Pronunciation
Eden is pronounced EE-dən in English. The first syllable rhymes with see, and the second syllable rhymes with ten.
Popularity in the US
Eden first appears in SSA counts in 1943, and 52,434 US girls have received the name in total since 1943. The name is most often given to girls, as about 17.3% were boys. In 1950, Eden held rank #4,896 with 6 babies, before advancing to rank #1,813 with 60 babies in 1980. Usage grew over the following decades as the name climbed to rank #521 with 505 babies in 2000, reached rank #179 with 1,725 babies in 2010, and rose to rank #129 with 2,039 babies in 2020. Eden achieved its peak rank and latest standing at #70 in 2025 with 3,362 babies.
| Year | US rank (girls) | Babies named Eden |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #4,896 | 6 |
| 1980 | #1,813 | 60 |
| 2000 | #521 | 505 |
| 2010 | #179 | 1,725 |
| 2020 | #129 | 2,039 |
| 2025 | #70 | 3,362 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames
Popular short forms and nicknames for Eden include:
- Edie
- Dee
- Den
- Ede
Famous People Named Eden
Several well-known public figures share the name Eden:
- Eden Hazard, the Belgian former professional soccer player who competed for Chelsea and Real Madrid.
- Eden Sher, the American actress recognized for playing Sue Heck on the comedy series The Middle.
- Eden Gallup, the English musician and bassist who performed on tour with The Cure.
Middle and Sibling Names
Middle names that complement Eden include Grace, Rose, Claire, James, and Alexander. Coordinating sibling names include Chloe, Samuel, Noah, Maya, and Lucas.
FAQ
When did Eden first appear in United States baby name counts?
Eden first appeared in United States government counts in 1943. Usage remained modest during the early years, with only 6 babies receiving the name in 1950 for a rank of #4,896.
How many girls in the United States have been named Eden?
A total of 52,434 US girls have received the name Eden since 1943. While predominantly given to girls, about 17.3% of children given the name were boys.
What older forms and variant names exist for Eden?
The older forms of the name were Edon and Edun, while Eden as a boy’s name might also be a variant of Aidan. In addition, the name developed in Yorkshire during the 1400s as a diminutive of Edith.
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