Bolden first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Bolden has been for the last 4 years (from 2014 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Bolden

A name derived from the English word bold, meaning brave or daring.

Popularity of Bolden by gender

Based on the last 4 years of data, Bolden is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Bolden.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 6 0
2015 5 0
2014 5 0

The history of the first name Bolden

The name Bolden is an English surname that has been used as a given name. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "bold," which means brave or daring. The name may have initially been used to describe someone who was bold or courageous.

In ancient times, the name Bolden was not widely used as a given name. However, it did appear in some historical records and texts from the Middle Ages, particularly in England and other parts of the British Isles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bolden can be found in the Domesday Book, a medieval census commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions a landowner named Bolden, indicating that the name was in use during that time period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Bolden. One of the most famous was Buddy Bolden (1877-1931), an American cornet player and bandleader who is considered a key figure in the development of jazz music in New Orleans.

Another prominent figure with the name Bolden was Charles Bolden (born 1946), a former NASA astronaut and the first African American to serve as the Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017.

In the realm of literature, Bolden Rice (1905-1980) was an American writer and poet known for her works that explored themes of race, identity, and the African American experience.

The name Bolden also appeared in the world of sports with Bolden King (1904-1986), an American football player who played professionally for the Chicago Cardinals in the late 1920s.

Lastly, Bolden Paterson (1805-1891) was a British politician and public servant who served as the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, from 1848 to 1851.

While these are just a few examples, the name Bolden has been carried by individuals from various backgrounds and walks of life throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bolden was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bolden, please contact us.

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"Bolden first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 29, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/bolden-meaning-and-history/.

"Bolden first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/bolden-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 29 April, 2025

Bolden first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/bolden-meaning-and-history/.

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