Arden

♂ Boy

Pronounced AR-dun /ˈɑːr.dən/High

Meaning: Eagle valley; from Celtic ard (high) + den (valley); or the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire, England (the setting of Shakespeare's As You Like It)Medium

In 30 seconds: An English/Celtic name meaning 'high valley' or 'eagle valley,' most associated with the Forest of Arden in Shakespeare's As You Like It — where the exiled Duke Arden and Rosalind find freedom and love.

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Origin MediumEnglish, Celtic

MeaningEagle valley; from Celtic ard (high) + den (valley); or the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire, England (the setting of Shakespeare's As You Like It)

U.S. rank (2025)#1005 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births225 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,565

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Arden is an English/Celtic place name from ard (high) and possibly den (valley). The Forest of Arden in Warwickshire (Shakespeare's mother's family name was Arden) became famous through As You Like It. Mary Arden was Shakespeare's mother.

Arden has been used as a given name for both boys and girls. For boys it ranked #943 in 2024.

Did you know? The Forest of Arden in Shakespeare's As You Like It is widely thought to be modeled on the Ardennes forest of Belgium and northern France — one of the great ancient forests of Europe, the site of the pivotal Battle of the Bulge (1944).

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Arden — Celtic/English etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ArdinArdan

Nicknames

Ard

Famous Bearers

★Arden Cho (1985-)
American actress known for playing Kira Yukimura on Teen Wolf
★Arden Myrin
American comedian and actress, cast member on MADtv

If you like Arden…

Holden— two-syllable -den ending name with the same literary feel

Hayden— two-syllable -den Old English name in the same register

Brendan— Celtic -an ending name with the same Celtic heritage

Alden— Old English -den surname name in the same two-syllable Al- category

Explore names like Arden

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Arden mean?

Arden means 'high valley' from Celtic ard (high) and den (valley). The Forest of Arden is the setting of Shakespeare's As You Like It.

How do you pronounce Arden?

It's said AR-dun — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Arden a boy or girl name?

Arden is used for both sexes.

How popular is Arden?

Arden ranked #943 for U.S. boys in 2024.