Eadgyð

Eadgyð is the Old English form of the feminine given name Edith, used in Anglo-Saxon England. The spelling Eadgyð appears in historical records alongside later Latinized forms such as Eadgith or Eadgyd. The name is formed from the Old English elements ead, meaning prosperity or wealth, and gyth (or gyð), meaning battle or strife, giving the meaning “prosperous in battle” or “wealthy in war.” The name evolved into Edith in Middle English and spread to other languages over time.

In the Anglo-Saxon period, Eadgyð appears in various charters and hagiographies; the best-known bearer is Saint Edith of Wilton (often listed as Eadgyth), a 10th-century Anglo-Saxon noblewoman and nun associated with Wilton Abbey, who was later venerated as a saint. The name persisted into the later medieval period and beyond, and was revived in modern times as Edith.

Today, Edith remains a common given name in English-speaking countries, with variants such as Édith in French, Edita in several languages, and diminutives like Edie. The name Eadgyð is of interest to scholars of onomastics as an example of an Old English personal name that evolved into a widely used modern given name.