Declining since 2019, #297 for boys today.
Popularity of Holden since 1902
Babies named Holden per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 28 |
| 1920s | 68 |
| 1930s | 34 |
| 1940s | 32 |
| 1950s | 47 |
| 1960s | 70 |
| 1970s | 44 |
| 1980s | 526 |
| 1990s | 3,382 |
| 2000s | 7,305 |
| 2010s | 13,067 |
| 2020s | 7,899 |
Meaning & origin
Holden entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1902 but remained obscure for most of the 20th century. Its literary boost from J.D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye' (1951) gave it a enduring cool factor, yet it didn't reach the top 1000 until the 1990s. The name climbed steadily, peaking at rank 151 in 2020, with about 1 in 1,500 boys named Holden that year. Since then, it has been on a downward trend, falling to rank 297 by 2025, likely as parents move on to newer favorites. Holden is most popular in Wyoming, West Virginia, and North Dakota, states where traditional and surname-style names often dominate. The trajectory suggests a classic mid-century revival that has crested, but Holden still retains strong literary associations and a masculine, grounded feel.
Holden is an English surname that may derive from the Old English words 'hol' (deep) and 'denu' (valley), meaning 'deep valley.' It could also be a variant of the personal name 'Haldane.' As a given name, its modern use was popularized by J.D. Salinger's 1951 novel 'The Catcher in the Rye,' whose protagonist Holden Caulfield made the name iconic.
Where Holden is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Holden” around the world
Where Holden lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Holdy, Denny
Sibling names for Holden
Names that share Holden's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Clara, Maeve, Ruby, Ivy, Ada, Briley, Finley, Halley, Harlie, Henley, Kallie, Kinley, Kinsey, Maelyn, Sloan, Aubry, Azlynn, Baleigh, Blakelyn, Carrington, Chaney, Chesney, Delanie, Halston, Hollyn, Josslyn, Kollyns, Mabry, Maelynn, Maylin, Ainsleigh, Aisley, Annsley, Avaleigh, Berlyn, Cambri, Collyns, Daelynn, Dalaney, Ellerie, Hazley, Kloie, Kolette, Landrey, Maylene, Mckinleigh, Paislie, Raelynne, Scottlyn, Skylan, Tatem, Weslyn, Addalee, Allaina, Bailea, Carlise, Enslee, Harlowe, Hasset, Hawley, Hayde, Haylynn, Hether, Jenesys, Kentley, Keyleigh, Layney, Mackinley, Maelin, Mailin, Makinzee, Malynn, Marly, Maybree, Milynn, Quincie, Railee, Siddalee, Skilar, Suttyn, Tinleigh, Chanley, Kenlynn, Sheylin, Addylynn, Anisten, Annaston, Annleigh, Breeley, Brookley, Chesnie, Deilany, Deklynn, Gentri, Graelynn, Greysi, Henchy, Jacqueli, Jernie, Kopelyn, Kynsli, Landi, Larken, Lunden, Marlet, Mayella, Pailyn, Preslea, Quinnlee, Reighan, Riverlee, Tacori
Brothers: Finn, Ezra, Miles, Asher, Jasper, Barret, Benton, Brantley, Brecken, Brodie, Calder, Chadwick, Colt, Dedrick, Harlin, Kelton, Kendrick, Rhett, Boden, Colston, Crawford, Finnick, Graydon, Griffen, Halen, Heston, Jerrett, Kipton, Kolter, Lathan, Lawton, Logen, Townes, Waylan, Waylen, Baden, Becket, Bowden, Braddock, Brinton, Broadus, Caldwell, Carston, Caston, Chaston, Cheston, Coltan, Cordale, Cordel, Crayton, Creedence, Deklin, Dillen, Dillin, Elston, Graylin, Harden, Herson, Holten, Holton, Hutton, Jetson, Keeton, Keifer, Kincaid, Koltin, Lofton, Louden, Maclin, Renner, Riggin, Rollins, Ruston, Stiles, Tallen, Whitten, Austan, Beckem, Bexton, Brallan, Breckon, Brynden, Cardin, Chasten, Coburn, Colden, Daltin, Dansby, Deckard, Endrick, Haddon, Halden, Hawken, Hollace, Jaimeson, Jamesen, Jourden, Juddson, Kaesen, Kesler, Kolden, Maijor, Marsden, Mckoy, Mclain, Neiman, Raliegh, Rennick, Rigdon, Rigley, Rockland, Ronson, Tannen, Tannon, Tipton, Tison, Wilkes, Wylan, Castin, Grantley, Aldyn, Bonham, Bosten, Bronsen, Callin, Chanceler, Cortlan, Coulton, Criston, Drezden, Garhett, Gatsby, Graisyn, Hendricks, Herron, Hever, Jarrette, Jedrick, Josten, Kashus, Kelsen, Kelten, Knolan, Koehn, Kohyn, Kyston, Lanson, Linkoln, Maddock, Mclane, Nohlan, Ramzey, Rushton, Ryman, Sandon, Saxton, Seaver, Slaton, Slone, Trestan, Vanden, Weiland
Names like Holden
Names whose popularity has moved with Holden's over the last 50 years.
