Find out how popular the first name Walden has been for the last 48 years (from 1977 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Walden by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Walden is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 38 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Walden.

The history of the first name Walden

The name Walden is an English given name derived from the Old English words "walden" meaning "valley" and "denu" meaning "hill." It originates from the Anglo-Saxon period, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD, and is believed to have been used as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived in or near a valley surrounded by hills.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Walden can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Waldene," referring to a place name in Essex.

In literature, the name Walden gained prominence with the publication of Henry David Thoreau's influential work "Walden; or, Life in the Woods" in 1854. The book chronicles Thoreau's experience living in a cabin near Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts, and his reflections on simple living, self-reliance, and civil disobedience.

Notable individuals who bore the name Walden throughout history include:

1. Walden Bello (born 1945), a Filipino author, academic, and political analyst known for his work on globalization and social movements.

2. Walden Gallman (1922-2013), an American economist and professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, known for his contributions to economic history.

3. Walden Rhines (born 1944), an American businessman and co-founder of Mentor Graphics, a leading electronic design automation company.

4. Walden Pratt (1805-1849), an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from New York.

5. Walden P. Muir (1886-1965), an American architect who designed numerous buildings in Los Angeles, including the Richfield Tower and the Los Angeles City Hall.

While the name Walden may have originated as a topographic descriptor, it has since transcended its literal meaning and become associated with ideas of simplicity, self-sufficiency, and appreciation for nature, thanks in part to the enduring legacy of Thoreau's literary masterpiece.

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 Walden was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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