Edna is a Hebrew name meaning "pleasure" or "rejuvenation" that peaked in American baby name charts around the 1910s and 1920s — and that very retro arc is exactly why it's catching on as a pet name now. The generation of owners who grew up watching The Incredibles knows Edna Mode, the imperious fashion designer who gave the name a crisp second life.
The Edna Mode Effect
Edna Mode from Pixar's The Incredibles (2004) is one of animation's sharpest supporting characters — opinionated, brilliant, and utterly convinced of her own correctness. A cat named Edna lands this personality archetype immediately. The name also bridges the human baby name universe cleanly: Edna is a genuine given name with Old Testament roots, giving the pet name a layer of gravitas beyond pure pop culture.
Grandma-Chic Aesthetic
Edna sits squarely in the grandma-name revival trend driving pet naming in the 2020s alongside Mildred and Gertrude. Owners who find Luna and Bella too common reach into the vintage cabinet for names with this much character. French bulldogs and Boston terriers suit Edna particularly well — compact, opinionated breeds for a name with the same energy.
The Counter-Reading: Very Human, Very Dated
Edna is so specifically a 1910s human name that some owners find it too on-the-nose for a pet — the humor works only if you're in on the joke. Browse vintage-name options at pet names.