A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Tilden since 1880
Babies named Tilden per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tilden's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 18 |
| 1890s | 0 | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 |
| 1910s | 0 | 85 |
| 1920s | 0 | 122 |
| 1930s | 0 | 111 |
| 1940s | 0 | 98 |
| 1950s | 0 | 87 |
| 1960s | 0 | 85 |
| 1970s | 0 | 74 |
| 1980s | 0 | 42 |
| 1990s | 0 | 59 |
| 2000s | 6 | 119 |
| 2010s | 39 | 220 |
| 2020s | 51 | 220 |
Meaning & origin
Tilden is a surname-turned-first-name with English roots, meaning 'from the tile valley' or 'tilled valley'. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, when it peaked at rank 2991, and fell into disuse until a steady rise beginning in 1985. In 2025, about 1 in 41,660 newborn boys received the name, placing it at rank 2991. Tilden is most popular in Texas, which reflects its reviving status among parents seeking rare, vintage-sounding names. Its revival, though modest, aligns with a broader trend of reclaiming 19th-century surnames as first names.
Tilden is an English surname transferred to given name use. It originates from a place name in England, derived from Old English *tigele* 'tile' or *tilian* 'till, cultivate' plus *denu* 'valley'. The surname is recorded in Kent and other counties. As a first name, it saw modest use in the late 19th century, with its peak in 1880, and has been experiencing a revival since the 1980s.
Where Tilden is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Till, Tilly
Sibling names for Tilden
Names that share Tilden's style, for a brother or sister.
