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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Hollow valley
- Origin
- Old English (surname)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- HOHL-din
Holden started out as an Old English surname, built from words meaning "hollow valley" — picture a low, sheltered stretch of land. It's a classic boy's name with a romantic, storybook, timeless, classic feel, and it's pronounced HOHL-din. For a parent who likes a name with old surname roots and a settled, literary tone, Holden fits that brief.
Meaning & Origin of Holden
Meaning: Hollow valley.
Origin: Old English (surname).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Holden
HOHL-dinIPA /ˈhoʊldən/
Popularity of Holden
Holden peaked at #217 in 2018 with 1,731 babies given the name, and by 2024 it had eased to #281 with 1,205 — still a steadily used classic, just a bit past its high point.
Names Like Holden
These names share Holden’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Holden mean?
Hollow valley. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Holden?
Holden is pronounced HOHL-din (IPA: /ˈhoʊldən/).
Is Holden a popular name right now?
Holden peaked at #217 in 2018 and is ranked #281 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1902–2024.)
Make Holden Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Holden, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Holden? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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