Camden is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years, particularly as a boys' name. The name Camden is derived from the Old English word "Cædmunt", which means "freeholder" or "warlike". It was originally used as a surname before being adopted as a given name.
The city of Camden, New Jersey, located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, is named after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, who was a prominent British jurist and politician in the 18th century. The city's name has contributed to the popularity of the name Camden in recent years.
In literature, Camden is also associated with the works of William Shakespeare. In his play "King John", one of the characters is named Philip "Faithful" Camden. Additionally, there is a reference to the city of Camden in Shakespeare's sonnet 37.
The name Camden has no specific meaning or association beyond its etymological origin and its connection to the city of Camden, New Jersey. However, it has a strong and distinctive sound that makes it appealing as a given name. In recent years, Camden has become increasingly popular as a boys' name, but it can also be used for girls.
Overall, Camden is a name with a rich history and an interesting origin story. While its meaning may not have any deep symbolic significance, the name's strong sound and distinctive character make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a unique and memorable name for their child.
The name Camden has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century in the United States. From 1915 to 2023, there have been a total of 55,557 births with the first name Camden.
Initially, the name was quite uncommon, with only 5 or 6 births recorded each year between 1915 and 1948. However, starting in the late 1940s, there was a gradual increase in its usage, with around 5 to 7 births per year until the mid-1960s.
The popularity of the name began to surge in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1968, there were 13 births recorded, marking a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued into the 1970s, with peaks of 16 births in 1978 and 18 births each year between 1979 and 1980.
The 1980s marked a turning point for Camden's popularity. The number of births started to rise steadily, reaching 41 births in 1984. This was followed by significant increases, with 54 births in 1985 and 60 births in 1986.
The 1990s saw an exponential growth in the popularity of the name Camden. From 78 births in 1987, the number increased to 396 births in 1998. This decade also witnessed several years with over 500 births each year, including 731 births in 2000 and 889 births in 2001.
The new millennium brought further popularity for the name Camden. Between 2002 and 2013, there were consistently over a thousand births recorded each year, with peaks of 3897 births in 2013. After a slight decrease between 2014 and 2020, the number of births remained relatively stable around the 2000 mark until the present day.
In conclusion, while Camden started as a rare name over a century ago, it has since become quite popular in the United States. Its popularity peaked in the early 2010s but has maintained a consistent level of usage since then.