Holden
Holden is a boys' name of English origin meaning “hollow valley.” It ranked #297 in the United States in 2025. Holden is an English place name meaning 'hollow valley' or 'deep valley.'
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how do you pronounce Holden?
HOHL-den
where does the name Holden come from?
An English given name from a surname meaning deep valley in Old English.
The name is permanently linked to Holden Caulfield, the restless teenage protagonist of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. This literary association gives the name an introspective, rebellious quality that appeals to bookish parents.
how popular is this name?
Holden has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 39 years since 1987. It peaked at #217 in 2018, and ranked #297 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #297 |
| 2024 | #281 |
| 2023 | #286 |
| 2022 | #285 |
| 2021 | #236 |
| 2020 | #227 |
| 2019 | #250 |
| 2018 | #217 |
| 2017 | #242 |
| 2016 | #270 |
| 2010 | #316 |
| 2000 | #451 |
| 1990 | #755 |
| 1987 | #908 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Holden fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Holden
Its best-known bearer is Holden Caulfield, the hero of J. D. Salinger's 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye. In the US the name began rising in 1986 after the character Holden Snyder appeared on the soap opera As the World Turns.
who are famous people named Holden?
- Holden Caulfield (protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye)
- William Holden (American actor)
what names are similar to Holden?
what names go well with Holden?
Sibling names that share Holden's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Holden
What does the name Holden mean?
Holden means “hollow valley”.
What is the origin of the name Holden?
Holden comes from the English naming tradition.
How popular is the name Holden?
Holden ranked #297 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2018, at #217, and it has spent 39 years in the top 1,000 since 1987.
Is Holden a boy or girl name?
Holden is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Holden?
Holden is pronounced HOHL-den, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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