MallowbyNames

Borden

BOR-den · Of uncertain origin; possibly a transferred use of an English surname meaning 'valley of the boar' or derived from a place name.

Peak popularity
1918
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Borden since 1913

Babies named Borden per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1942, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Borden's real moment was 1918.

4913192019602000Most births 1942Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1910s41
1920s54
1930s47
1940s37
1950s26
1960s5
1970s0
1980s5
1990s0
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Borden is a rare given name, primarily of English origin, that emerged as a first name in the early 20th century. First recorded in 1913, it reached its modest peak in 1918, likely influenced by surnames in use at the time. Despite this early peak, the name has never entered the top 1000 and has remained stable in its rarity, with no significant revival. It is virtually absent from top state rankings, reflecting its very low usage. For parents seeking a distinct name with an old-fashioned feel, Borden offers a connection to early 20th-century American naming patterns, though it carries little cultural or etymological certainty.

Borden is primarily a surname turned given name, of English origin. It may derive from the Old English elements 'bār' (boar) and 'denu' (valley), meaning 'boar valley,' or from a place name in Kent. As a first name, it saw occasional use in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States, but has never been common.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Bord

Sibling names for Borden

Names that share Borden's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Clara, Mabel, Edith, Ruth, Hazel

Brothers: Elmer, Chester, Lloyd, Earl, Lester

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

B is for Borden, our favorite little boy.

B is for Borden…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Borden's letter becomes Borden's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Borden's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Borden mean?
The meaning of Borden is uncertain, but it is believed to be an English surname meaning 'valley of the boar' or referring to a place in Kent.
How popular is the name Borden?
Borden has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000. Its peak year was 1918, but even then it was extremely rare.
Is Borden a boy or girl name?
Borden is almost exclusively used as a boy's name.