Holden is a boy's name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent decades. The name is derived from the Old English word "holban," which means "hollow" or "valley." It is believed to have originally been used as a surname, referring to someone who lived in a hollow valley.
The meaning behind Holden is often associated with the idea of being strong and steadfast, like a mountain that stands firm even in the face of adversity. This could be due to the fact that the name was traditionally given to people who were thought to possess these qualities.
There are several notable historical figures named Holden. One of the most famous is Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of J.D. Salinger's classic novel "The Catcher in the Rye." The character has become synonymous with the name Holden and has contributed to its rise in popularity as a boy's name.
In terms of popular culture, Holden has also been used as a name for characters in various movies, TV shows, and books. For example, Holden McNeil is a character in Kevin Smith's film "Chasing Amy," and Holden Ford is the protagonist of the True Crime podcast that was adapted into the Netflix series "Mindhunter."
Overall, Holden is a strong and unique boy's name with a rich history and several notable figures associated with it. Its meaning and origins make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their son.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Holden in the United States from 1902 to 2023, we can observe several trends and patterns.
The earliest recorded birth with the name Holden was in 1902, with five instances that year. The name continued to appear sporadically throughout the early to mid-20th century, with varying numbers of births each year. However, it wasn't until the late 1970s and early 1980s that Holden started gaining more popularity.
In 1978, there were 12 births with the name Holden, marking a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued into the 1980s, with notable spikes in 1984 (17 births), 1985 (15 births), and 1986 (58 births). These numbers suggest that Holden began to enter popular consciousness during this period.
The most substantial growth for the name Holden occurred between the late 1980s and early 2000s. In 1987, there were 107 births with the name, compared to just five in 1964, demonstrating a dramatic increase in popularity over two decades. This trend continued through the 1990s and into the new millennium, with Holden becoming one of the more common boy's names.
Since reaching its peak popularity in 2020 (with 1647 births), the name Holden has seen a slight decrease but remains highly popular. In 2022, there were 1219 births with the name Holden, and in 2023, that number fell to 1171.
In total, from 1902 to 2023, there have been 30,143 births of children named Holden in the United States. This data illustrates the evolving popularity of the name Holden over time, with a consistent increase in usage since the late 20th century.