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Golden
Pronounced GOHL-dən /ˈɡoʊl.dən/High
Meaning: Made of gold; the English adjective used as a name for someone precious and radiantHigh
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
Golden is a pure English word name, from Old English gylden, the adjective of gold — a word whose root reaches back to an ancient term for 'to shine'. As a personal name it appeared occasionally in nineteenth-century America (often for boys, sometimes via the surname), long before the current word-name era.
The name found new life in the 2010s and 2020s as parents embraced glowing word names like Sunny and Honey; musicians have helped, with prominent artists naming sons and daughters Golden. It remains a rare, optimistic choice for girls.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Golden mean?
Golden is the English adjective meaning 'made of gold' — used as a name to suggest someone precious and radiant.
How do you pronounce Golden?
It's said GOHL-dən /ˈɡoʊl.dən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Golden a boy or girl name?
Golden is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.
How popular is Golden?
Golden is a rare word name in the U.S., part of the modern wave of glowing nature-and-light names.