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Baby names

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Original poster

Is Ward a nickname for Edward?

67 replies

TwoMountains · 04/08/2021 15:22

Been having a (lighthearted) argument with a friend about baby names and specifically nicknames for Edward.

I said nicknames for Edward are usually Ed / Eddie or maybe Ted / Ned.

She says Ward is a more common nickname for Edward and my examples aren’t used anymore for younger people.

So, who’s right?

Is Ward really a modern up to date nickname for the Edward’s out there?

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peaceinourtime · 05/08/2021 13:41

I like the name Ward, though not really a common shorting of Edward.

Freshapples · 05/08/2021 10:35

@Carinna

I’ve heard of Edward being called Ward. It’s mostly an American thing. The same as other nicknames using the second half of the name, such as Seph for Joseph, Drew for Andrew, or Xander for Alexander.
Yes, or this.
Freshapples · 05/08/2021 10:35

Is your friend a hipster? Maybe in parts of trendy Hackney it might be a normal nickname for Edward but I have never heard of it where I live!

patootie1 · 05/08/2021 10:31

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Carinna · 05/08/2021 10:27

I’ve heard of Edward being called Ward. It’s mostly an American thing. The same as other nicknames using the second half of the name, such as Seph for Joseph, Drew for Andrew, or Xander for Alexander.

BikeRunSki · 05/08/2021 10:21

@whatausername

Only in the way that "ret" is a nn for Margaret. I.e. not in the bloody slightest in the UK
Or Lottie as an abbreviation of Charlotte? Or Liam as a corruption of William? Or Enzo from Lorenzo, Gus from Angus, Nic from Dominic, Tony from Anthony, Xander from Alexander, Zandra from Alexandra, Trish from Patricia, Tori from Victoria, Renee from Irene ?

These are just the commonly used examples I can think of. There is no reason the end of a name shouldn’t be abbreviated to the end sound . I daresay that there is a Margaret known at Ret somewhere, keeping my cousin (Chris)Topher and uni friend (Ti)Mothy company.

Although I agree, that Ward is not a common abbreviation of Edward. Woody, a bit.

whatausername · 05/08/2021 00:51

Only in the way that "ret" is a nn for Margaret. I.e. not in the bloody slightest in the UK

GrimDamnFanjo · 05/08/2021 00:46

@TheWholeJingbang

I know an Irish Ward!
Me too. Irish American. His father and other male relatives have the same name.
TheWholeJingbang · 05/08/2021 00:28

I know an Irish Ward!

notsogreenthumb · 05/08/2021 00:24

No, Ward is where sick patients lie... sorry couldn't help the dad joke Blush

WithLoveFromMyselfToYourself · 05/08/2021 00:14

I know one, he’s a triplet with brother Chard and Athon.

She’s bonkers.

Ozanj · 05/08/2021 00:14

I think it’s more used in America.

Spinxsta · 05/08/2021 00:10

I went to school (midlands) in the 90s with a super cool dude who drove a Nissan with tinted windows and tiger stripes, smoked B&H and wore electric blue gazelles. He was Edward nicknamed Wardy, but I guess he was just too cool for your standard NNs!

BasiliskStare · 05/08/2021 00:07

Edward Woodward ( the actor - all pronounced like "wood" as in tree )

Your friend may have examples but think unusual

ZenNudist · 04/08/2021 23:31

Not in England. Is she American? Never heard anyone called ward.

Ellmau · 04/08/2021 23:30

It's rather forced and certainly not remotely common.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 04/08/2021 23:11

[quote TwoMountains]@IamnotwhouthinkIam how do you get Iolo from Edward? Confused[/quote]
It's a traditional nn for Iorwerth - the Welsh "version/variation" of Edward (which one came first is I'm sure debated!). I suppose it's like how do you get the nn Polly from Mary - doesn't look like it should make sense but people have/do.

Original poster
TwoMountains · 04/08/2021 22:58

@IamnotwhouthinkIam how do you get Iolo from Edward? Confused

OP posts:
fallfallfall · 04/08/2021 22:49

Ward is occasionally used as it name of it's own or as a nick name for Howard not Edward.

SaltySheepdog · 04/08/2021 22:47

Woody

CorianderBee · 04/08/2021 22:40

Woody is, not Ward, but anything can be I suppose

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 04/08/2021 22:29

NN's for Edward include - Ed, Eddie, Eddo, Ned, Neddy, Ted, Teddy, Woody, Ward, Bear and Iolo - and those are just the ones I have heard of/can think of off the top of my head!

Like Elizabeth, Margaret, Alexander etc, Edward has been in popular use for such a long time that lots of nn's are inevitable. Ward is used but I wouldn't say it is commonplace - the most popular nn for young ones now is Ted/Teddy or Ed for the older generation (20's/30's plus) imo.

FadoFado · 04/08/2021 19:32

[quote miltonj]@FadoFado ok ok, ya got me, I'll be less provincial going for-wood. [/quote]
Grin

ba-doom-tish

miltonj · 04/08/2021 17:55

@FadoFado ok ok, ya got me, I'll be less provincial going for-wood.

Sorrycantreadtest · 04/08/2021 17:07

We have a Ward in our family. His full name was Edward, so it definitely is a 'thing'. It may not be common but it is a nn for Edward.
As for it not being a nn because it isn't how Edward is pronounced, I don't think anyone with Teddy, Bobby, Jack, Tony, to name but a few, would consider that a valid argument against their nn.