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Alden

♂ Boy

Pronounced AWL-den /ˈɔːl.dən/High

Meaning: From Old English Ealdwine or Aldwine, composed of eald/ald ('old') and wine ('friend'), meaning 'old friend'; survived as a surname and revived as a given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Alden is an understated Old English gem meaning 'old friend.' Colonial and literary in feel, it is the kind of quiet, distinguished choice that suits a boy who grows into his name.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningFrom Old English Ealdwine or Aldwine, composed of eald/ald ('old') and wine ('friend'), meaning 'old friend'; survived as a surname and revived as a given name
U.S. rank (2025)#598 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births479 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 18,218

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202418802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Alden derives from Old English Ealdwine or Aldwine, meaning 'old friend' — combining eald ('old,' 'venerable') and wine ('friend,' 'protector'). It was used in medieval England, became a common surname, and was carried to America by the Pilgrim settlers, most famously John Alden who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620.

Alden remained in use in New England families as an heirloom name connected to colonial heritage. It has attracted modern attention as parents seek underused Old English names with genuine historical depth — part of the same revival as Elden, Aldric, and similar names.

Did you know? John Alden — one of the Mayflower Pilgrims and the first to step ashore at Plymouth Rock according to some accounts — immortalized the name in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem The Courtship of Miles Standish (1858), cementing Alden as a name of American founding mythology.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Alden — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

EldenAldwinAldous

Nicknames

AlDen

Famous Bearers

  • ★John Alden (c. 1599–1687)
    Mayflower Pilgrim, one of the founders of Plymouth Colony and the subject of Longfellow's poem.

If you like Alden…

Elden— closely related Old English name with the same eld- root and similar sound
Aldous— another rare Old English -ald name with the same antiquarian appeal
Holden— two-syllable vintage English surname-name with the same quiet literary character
Weston— two-syllable Old English place-name with the same understated colonial-era feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Alden mean?

Alden comes from Old English Ealdwine meaning 'old friend,' combining eald (old) and wine (friend).

How do you pronounce Alden?

It is said AWL-den — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Alden a boy or girl name?

Alden is used predominantly as a boys' name.

How popular is Alden?

Alden is a quietly rising name in the U.S., appreciated by parents who want something distinguished and historically grounded.