Meaning: Its source is ead gyd, an Ancient Germanic name meaning "Struggle for wealth."

Narrative: Edith was commonly used by the Anglo-Saxon royalty of ancient Britain. Because of its association with a number of highly revered Christian saints, it survived the Norman Conquest of 1066, which introduced many French-derived names that dominate the English-speaking world to this day.

The elegant associations of this name were enhanced by the reputation of British stage legend Dame Edith Evans (1888-1976). Among Americans, however, the name may call to mind the simple, big-hearted, old-fashioned ways of Edith Bunker, a character played by Jean Stapleton on television's All in the Family from 1971 to 1979.