Holden
Holden is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Deep valley or hollow in the valley.
Origin and history
Holden originated as an English surname derived from a place name meaning deep valley. It achieved widespread cultural recognition through J.D. Salinger's classic novel The Catcher in the Rye. In recent decades, it has grown in popularity as a given name in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
32,507 babies in the United States have been named Holden since 1880. It ranks #650 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #259.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.8 %)
- CA (7.1 %)
- NC (6.1 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- FL (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 28 |
| 1920-1930 | 68 |
| 1930-1940 | 34 |
| 1940-1950 | 32 |
| 1950-1960 | 47 |
| 1960-1970 | 70 |
| 1970-1980 | 44 |
| 1980-1990 | 526 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,382 |
| 2000-2010 | 7,305 |
| 2010-2019 | 13,067 |
| 2020-2029 | 7,899 |
Famous people named Holden
- Holden Caulfield: Fictional character
Fun facts
- The name gained global fame via Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of J.D. Salinger's 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye.
- Originally a habitational surname derived from places in Lancashire and Yorkshire named Holden.