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How does Edward sound like in Scotland?

31 replies

Ashley12345 · 27/01/2025 19:22

Hi everyone,

My partner wants to name our baby boy Edward so much. We are both from non English speaking countries but want a local sounding name. We live in Scotland so I wonder if Edward is very English name? I barely meet people called Edward here.
How do people feel about the name?
I feel it's smart and traditional name easy to spell and pronounce so I like it too.

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Ashley12345 · 11/03/2025 16:52

Thank you for more insights! I feel quite assured Edward sounds like a normal name for most people in Scotland and not too much negative associations. I agree the name's pronunciation is Ed-wurd with R for me too!
I haven't made the final decision yet but definitely now it's one of the top in the short list with confidence.

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PearlClutzsche · 09/02/2025 22:16

Mochudubh · 08/02/2025 17:52

Where, in the name of the wee man, do you live in Scotland where it's pronounced ED-wed? I'm guessing somewhere "sex" is what you get coal delivered in or use to put your rubbish out.

It's pronounced Edd-wurrd, obvs. Roll yer rrr's wummin!

It's as common a name in Scotland as England but usually shortened to
Ed or Eddie.

In all my born days (over 20,000) I have never associated the name in real life with Edward II or any song about him.

Edited

Edd-wurrd! Exactly! My best friend in primary school (in Scotland) when I was 6 was Edward.

Met as many Edwards as any other name in Scotland; no one ever mentioned or cared about King/proud Edward or teased any Edwards because of this.

CrimsonVioletTeal · 09/02/2025 16:34

I've never heard ED-wed, either - surely that's a typo? I'd pronounce id Ed-wurd.

2chocolateoranges · 08/02/2025 18:34

CameronLasora · 08/02/2025 17:25

In Scotland, Edward is pronounced "ED-wed," much like in the rest of the UK. The Scottish Gaelic version is Eideard.

Is it! 😂

I’ve never heard of that pronunciation

Coffeeishot · 08/02/2025 18:07

HA "roll yer rrrs wummin: has won the Internet for me today 😀

IHateWasps · 08/02/2025 17:56

CameronLasora · 08/02/2025 17:25

In Scotland, Edward is pronounced "ED-wed," much like in the rest of the UK. The Scottish Gaelic version is Eideard.

What? I’ve never heard anyone say Edwed. We tend to be pretty big on pronouncing the letter R in Scotland.

Mochudubh · 08/02/2025 17:52

CameronLasora · 08/02/2025 17:25

In Scotland, Edward is pronounced "ED-wed," much like in the rest of the UK. The Scottish Gaelic version is Eideard.

Where, in the name of the wee man, do you live in Scotland where it's pronounced ED-wed? I'm guessing somewhere "sex" is what you get coal delivered in or use to put your rubbish out.

It's pronounced Edd-wurrd, obvs. Roll yer rrr's wummin!

It's as common a name in Scotland as England but usually shortened to
Ed or Eddie.

In all my born days (over 20,000) I have never associated the name in real life with Edward II or any song about him.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 08/02/2025 17:38

OP whatever you do don't shorten to Ned in Scotland as the Collins Dictionary defines the name as follows.

"The official definition is that ned is a derogatory term for "a young working-class male who dresses in casual sports clothes"

CameronLasora · 08/02/2025 17:25

In Scotland, Edward is pronounced "ED-wed," much like in the rest of the UK. The Scottish Gaelic version is Eideard.

2chocolateoranges · 08/02/2025 15:55

I quite like more traditional names such as Thomas And James etc but I’m not a fan of Edward , the youngest Edward I know( and I know a few) is in his 40s.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 08/02/2025 15:49

One of the nicest Scottish men I have known is an Edward. It's a cracking name.

Coffeeishot · 08/02/2025 15:47

I meant to obviously.

Coffeeishot · 08/02/2025 15:47

HugoYorway · 08/02/2025 15:29

@Coffeeishot , where did anyone say 'sung too' or even 'sung to'?

I was replying to a poster who said they wouldn't because "Flower of scotland " it isn't something I've come across.

HarpieDuJour · 08/02/2025 15:31

I live in rural Scotland and know plenty of Edwards. It's perfectly normal name.

HugoYorway · 08/02/2025 15:29

@Coffeeishot , where did anyone say 'sung too' or even 'sung to'?

Coffeeishot · 08/02/2025 14:46

MaxJLHardy · 07/02/2025 17:12

Would not on basis of Flower of Scotland

I have never heard anyone being "sung too" because their name is Edward.

CrimsonVioletTeal · 08/02/2025 14:17

I'm in Scotland. I know five adult Edwards and all five are known as Eddie. I think it's a good, classic name, but you would have to be prepared for it to be shortened,

MaxJLHardy · 07/02/2025 17:12

Would not on basis of Flower of Scotland

CombatBarbie · 07/02/2025 17:10

Scottish here too..... My cousins child, age 7, called Edward. If you don't mind the shortened version of Ed or Eddie. It's a classic traditional name, albeit not Scottish but perfectly acceptable.

museumum · 07/02/2025 17:08

In the part of Scotland I am it does sound a bit English and private school. That’s not a bad thing, and if you are in that demographic he’ll fit in well.
Unfortunately “Ned” is a common word for a trouble-making delinquent so I’d avoid that shortening. Ed or Eddie doesn’t have the same class connotations as the full Edward and firs in more widely.

Mareleine · 07/02/2025 17:04

It's generally a lovely name, but... I'd listen to our unofficial Scottish national anthem Flower Of Scotland OP. It's a very popular sporting anthem. While most people think this stuff is ancient history/just song lyrics, some real idiots out there can take things the wrong way, and you may be opening your child up to being bullied as an outsider or targeted after sports matches if he's older and in the wrong place at the wrong time. You'd probably be fine if you shortened it to Teddy but Theodore is the more common shortening to Teddy.

Lemonade2011 · 07/02/2025 16:53

My grandad was Edward but called Ted it’s a lovely name and I work with kids, met an Albert, George and Arthur most recently (young babies)

Coffeeishot · 07/02/2025 16:49

I'm scottish and I think Edward is popular here, there is a tradition of naming after men in the family so you do get generations of names, Edward included.

Anyway I'm babbling use it if you like it, it won't be unusual or anything like that.

HugoYorway · 07/02/2025 16:46

Edward is sometimes shortened to Ned, and that does not work very well in Scotland.

Ashley12345 · 04/02/2025 12:14

Hi everyone,

Thank you for the comments! I see most people think it's fine, but more commonly short names... that's a good point. I personally like the short names specially teddy. I will point out that to my partner!

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