Holding steady.
Popularity of Selden since 1911
Babies named Selden per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1927, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Selden's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 83 |
| 1920s | 115 |
| 1930s | 73 |
| 1940s | 67 |
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 11 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Selden is a rare English given name derived from an English surname meaning 'valley of the willows.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1911, and its usage has remained extremely low. The peak year for the name was its debut year, 1911, and the trajectory has been stable at near-zero frequency. Because the name has never ranked, there are no top states associated with it. Selden offers a distinctive, nature-linked choice for parents seeking an uncommon name with a clear English etymology.
Selden is an English surname turned given name, derived from a place name meaning 'valley of the willows' from Old English 'sealh' (willow) and 'denu' (valley). It has been used sporadically as a first name since the late 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sel
Variants: Seldon
Sibling names for Selden
Names that share Selden's style, for a brother or sister.
