Holden is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #1897 in 2025 with 13 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2020 with 25 births ranking #1085. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 20,918 boys born was named Holden. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Holden is an English surname-style name usually linked with a deep or hollow valley. It has a calm, grounded sound and fits well with other polished modern boys' names.
The name entered first-name use from surname tradition and later gained literary visibility through Holden Caulfield. That mixture of surname polish and cultural recognition has helped it remain appealing.