Enid
Primarily a girl's name of Welsh origin with 9,204 recorded births. Also given to 6 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Welsh of obscure meaning.
Enid is a girl's and boy's baby name of Welsh origin, from the Old Welsh name Enid, the meaning of which is debated — it may derive from enaid (soul, life) or from an Old Breton word meaning 'purity.'
In Arthurian legend, Enid is the wife of Geraint and one of the most virtuous women in the cycle — patient, loyal, and ultimately triumphant. With over 9,200 recorded births, Enid was a Victorian and Edwardian favorite. Today it carries the charm of an overlooked gem: genuinely old, short and strong, with a mythological pedigree that most short girls' names can't match.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Enid belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Welsh naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Welsh names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Enid’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Enid climbed 1731 spots in the last 20 years — from #6309 to #4578.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 187 | — |
| 2010s | 190 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 158 | — |
| 1990s | 163 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 270 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 493 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 684 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 799 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 1,084 | — |
| 1930s | 1,146 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 2,039 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 1,442 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 312 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 211 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 26 | — |
The Story of Enid
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Enid is a name steeped in history. Girls named Enid are most likely born between 1910 and 1930.
How rare is Enid?
Only about 1 in every 120,000 babies born in 2024 was named Enid — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1885, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 2,039 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Enid by the numbers
- Would fill 192 school buses
- Meeting one Enid per day would take 25.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(138 years, 1885–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 | #4578 |
| 2023 | 66 | #2653 |
| 2022 | 28 | #4831 |
| 2021 | 34 | #4185 |
| 2020 | 29 | #4582 |
| 2019 | 40 | #3737 |
| 2018 | 24 | #5360 |
| 2017 | 29 | #4724 |
| 2016 | 15 | #7724 |
| 2015 | 20 | #6302 |
| 2014 | 15 | #7796 |
| 2013 | 12 | #9199 |
| 2012 | 12 | #9272 |
| 2011 | 15 | #7917 |
| 2010 | 8 | #12662 |
| 2009 | 15 | #8177 |
| 2008 | 17 | #7515 |
| 2007 | 9 | #11930 |
| 2006 | 12 | #9484 |
| 2005 | 21 | #5881 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Enid as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Enid has also been given to 6 boys in the U.S. since 1919.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Enid a boy's or girl's name?
When was Enid most popular?
How popular is the name Enid?
Can Enid be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1885–2024