Name Hog: Edward Genealogy

Edward is among the oldest and most widely used first names. Originally Germanic, it was used by eleven kings of England. But birth records show usage of Edward and variant forms peaked in 1918, naming 1.858% of baby boys. Since then its popularity has declined, to 0.141% in 2009. So who are the famous - and infamous - Edwards of the last century?

King Edward VII of the UK and a 'meaty chunk' of the rest of the world (British Empire) tottered on until 1910. His name also brandishes extra-posh cigars, a tasty potatoes variety, and numerous British high schools.

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt (1858-1919) was the 26th US President (1901-1909). Ted was a common English short-form for Edward, inspiring the slang or nickname, Teddy. Amusingly, this nickname was associated with a new children's toy, imported from Germany - the fluffy-cuddly bear. This association stuck, because Roosevelt was a big-game hunter, much feared by America's grizzly bears (then still common).

"Teddy" - as he'll always be remembered - was a popular and historically important president. He championed the progressive 'Square Deal' policy, forcing bosses to increase wages and improve working conditions; 'busted' powerful corporations, making them answerable to people and the State. His nature conservation program even makes him a proto 'eco-warrior'. Nephew Franklin Roosevelt became the great Democrat, depression and wartime President. But there's an interesting conundrum, because Theodore - his given birth name - is actually a Scandinavian form of William; not Edward (Teddy)!

King Edward VIII (1894-1972) was a reluctant Crown Prince, trying to escape into a more ordinary, private life. In 1936, he was suddenly thrust into his role as King, when his father died. But he was in love, with a married, American commoner, Mrs. Wallis Simpson, already once divorced. She couldn't possibly gain acceptance as Queen and he was determined to marry her. So after just 325 days, the uncrowned King abdicated the Throne to his brother, Albert - King George VI. When Mrs. Simpson secured her second divorce, she and Edward were married. Exiled from the UK, they lived in France.

Ed Gein (1906-1984) is regarded as an infamous American serial killer. But he was only convicted of two murders, Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden, which technically falls short of the required body count. After his mother died, Gein lived alone in her remote Wisconsin house. His hobby was digging up corpses from the local cemetery. While searching his home in 1957, cops were shocked to discover his collection of rotting body parts. The media sensationalized the story, loosely inspiring a plethora of cult horror movies, including Hitchcock's Psycho.

Edmund Emil Kemper: nicknamed the Co-Ed Butcher (born 1948); renowned serial killer, active around California during the 1970s. He was 15 when his grandmother scolded him for being naughty. So he got a rifle and shot her, and granddad. Then he hit the road, murdering six female hitchhikers. Eventually he showed up at his ma's place, killing her and a friend. He turned himself in at the local police station.

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