Is Ward a nickname for Edward?

[TwoMountains]

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?

[quote TwoMountains]@IamnotwhouthinkIam how do you get Iolo from Edward? [/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.

It's rather forced and certainly not remotely common.

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

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

Your friend may have examples but think unusual

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!

I think it’s more used in America.

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

She’s bonkers.

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

I know an Irish Ward!

@TheWholeJingbang

I know an Irish Ward!

Me too. Irish American. His father and other male relatives have the same name.

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

@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.

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.

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!

@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.

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