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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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notsureofname · 04/08/2021 16:58

I know a Ward - it is his first name. Think family name. He is now 35.

Tinkletwat · 04/08/2021 16:44

I know a few Belgian Wards but it's pronounced more like 'Wart'. Wouldn't be my first choice...

FenceSplinters · 04/08/2021 16:41

Never heard of Ward being used.
I know two Edwards: one is 16 and goes by ‘’Ed”, and one is 18 and goes by “Ted”, although used to be “Teddy” when he was younger.

Stoolpigeon21 · 04/08/2021 16:39

“The name Ward is a boy's name of English origin meaning "guard, watchman". Until recently Ward was, like Wally, a Cleaver name, but today's parents are seeing it as a cooler nickname for Edward than Eddie, and are also beginning to use it on its own.”

nameberry.com/babyname/Ward

FadoFado · 04/08/2021 16:36

[quote miltonj]@FadoFado fair enough. I like the letter R too. But that isn't how you say Edward. That's like saying you pronounce Graham 'gray-ham' because you like the letter H. You can't just change someone's name. Obviously different countries pronounce names differently, so in that case, it's different. [/quote]
It's exactly how lots of people say Edward. Be less provincial.

Trebormints74 · 04/08/2021 16:35

@miltonj accents such as in the south west we would pronounce Edward as Ed-wurd . It’s not wrong ! It’s a regional difference!

NautaOcts · 04/08/2021 16:33

Ugh hope not, sounds awful!

FeedMeWell · 04/08/2021 16:31

Where I come from the R is definitely pronounced. Regional variations aren’t changing someone’s name.

BikeRunSki · 04/08/2021 16:29

[quote miltonj]@FadoFado fair enough. I like the letter R too. But that isn't how you say Edward. That's like saying you pronounce Graham 'gray-ham' because you like the letter H. You can't just change someone's name. Obviously different countries pronounce names differently, so in that case, it's different. [/quote]
Some people do pronounce Graham like that though.

miltonj · 04/08/2021 16:24

@FadoFado fair enough. I like the letter R too. But that isn't how you say Edward. That's like saying you pronounce Graham 'gray-ham' because you like the letter H. You can't just change someone's name. Obviously different countries pronounce names differently, so in that case, it's different.

FadoFado · 04/08/2021 16:15

[quote miltonj]@FadoFado go on then, how do you pronounce it? [/quote]
I pronounce the R.

Ed-Wurd.

I like the letter R although realise a lot of English people like to skip over it whenever possible.

Original poster
TwoMountains · 04/08/2021 16:14

Looks like I’m right then!

Maybe she was pulling my leg but she really did seem to believe Ward was a normal nickname.

OP posts:
miltonj · 04/08/2021 16:12

@FadoFado go on then, how do you pronounce it?

FadoFado · 04/08/2021 16:11

Teddy makes me teeth chatter it's so sickly sweet. Certainly popular at the moment though.

FadoFado · 04/08/2021 16:10

@miltonj

It's pronounced Ed-wood so no!
yeah, not by everyone. certainly not by me!
IndiaMay · 04/08/2021 16:10

I love Woody as a nickname but never known a ward.

Bigtoejoe · 04/08/2021 16:10

Ted and Teddy are definitely used for young people now so she's wrong on that. Teddy is in the top 50 in it's own right if I remember correctly. I know 3 under the age of 3.

miltonj · 04/08/2021 16:09

It's pronounced Ed-wood so no!

honeylou42 · 04/08/2021 16:06

No Hmm

TheDistortion · 04/08/2021 16:05

Oh the link didn't work
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_(given_name)

TheDistortion · 04/08/2021 16:04

In this list of Wards [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_(given_name)] we've got Ward as a given name, a middle name, short for Howard, short for Eduard, and short for, er Harry. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_Ritchie

Mostly American, mostly quite old fashioned, it seems.

theshadeofgreen · 04/08/2021 16:00

Is your friend ok, op? Grin

LublinToDublin · 04/08/2021 15:56

Woody but not 'ward' Hmm

CheeseyMcCheeseface · 04/08/2021 15:53

Woody yes - Ward nope

Lilyofthevalleys · 04/08/2021 15:53

I did have a friend at school in the 90s (not UK) who we called waad. His name was actually Edouard (French) so it wasn’t even an accurate contraction and the d should have been silent.

Never heard it used since.