Arden

♀ Girl

Pronounced AR-den /ˈɑːr.dən/High

Meaning: From a Celtic place name meaning high or great, associated with the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire, England; Shakespeare used Arden as the enchanted forest in As You Like It, and it was his mother Mary Arden's surnameHigh

In 30 seconds: Arden is a literary English name meaning high or great forest, immortalized by Shakespeare in As You Like It. Unisex but increasingly feminine, it has a magical, woodland quality and rising appeal for parents who love nature and literature.

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Origin HighCeltic, English

MeaningFrom a Celtic place name meaning high or great, associated with the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire, England; Shakespeare used Arden as the enchanted forest in As You Like It, and it was his mother Mary Arden's surname

U.S. rank (2025)#975 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births261 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2015

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,514

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Arden was the surname of Shakespeare's mother Mary Arden, connecting the name to the playwright's own family. The Forest of Arden in As You Like It became a symbol of pastoral freedom and transformation in English literature.

As a given name, Arden has been used for both boys and girls but has become primarily feminine in recent American usage. Its literary Shakespearean connection, nature feel, and unisex confidence make it a popular choice for parents seeking distinctive names.

Did you know? Shakespeare's Forest of Arden in As You Like It is named after the real Forest of Arden in Warwickshire, and also after his mother Mary Arden's family. The forest in the play is a place of magic, transformation, and self-discovery.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Arden — Celtic and Shakespearean etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ArdanArdyn

Nicknames

ArdiDenny

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Arden…

Eden— shares the lush, nature-paradise name meaning and two-syllable elegance

Hayden— same two-syllable nature-name surname-style with a soft modern feel

Wren— shares the woodland nature-name quality and the unisex modern appeal

Rowan— same Celtic-origin nature name with a lush, woodland feel for girls

Frequently Asked

What does the name Arden mean?

Arden means high or great forest from a Celtic place name, associated with the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire and Shakespeare's As You Like It.

How do you pronounce Arden?

It is said AR-den, with two syllables and stress on the first.

Is Arden a boy or girl name?

Arden is unisex but is used more frequently as a girls name in recent American usage.

Is Arden a Shakespearean name?

Yes, the Forest of Arden in Shakespeare's As You Like It was named after the real Forest of Arden and Shakespeare's mother's family name.