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Home › Baby Names Directory › Harden

Harden

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAR-dən /ˈhɑr.dən/High

Meaning: From an English surname/place-name — Old English hara, 'hare', plus denu, 'valley' — 'hare valley'Low

In 30 seconds: Surname-cool: Harden is an English place-name — 'hare valley' — with a sporty, modern ring (basketball's James Harden). Bold and fresh.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom an English surname/place-name — Old English hara, 'hare', plus denu, 'valley' — 'hare valley'
U.S. rank (2025)#3542 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births32 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 770

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118932025

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

Harden comes from an English surname and place-name — Old English hara, 'hare', plus denu, 'valley' — 'hare valley' (the first element is sometimes debated, which we note). A bold, modern surname-name (James Harden).

It registers thinly in records. Rare, hare-valley at the root, and sporty.

Did you know? Harden comes from an English place-name, 'hare's valley' (Old English) — and NBA star James Harden gave the surname-name fresh appeal.
Overall data confidence 62%
Surname references — Harden — first element debated

Variations

HardinHarding

Nicknames

Hardy

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Harden…

Hardy— a fellow Hard- name
Camden— a companion -den surname-name
Holden— another -den name
Harlan— a fellow Har- surname-name

Explore names like Harden

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Harden mean?

Harden is an English place-name, 'hare valley'; the first element is sometimes debated.

How do you pronounce Harden?

It's said HAR-dən /ˈhɑr.dən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Harden a boy or girl name?

Harden is a boy's name.

How popular is Harden?

Harden is a rare name in the U.S.

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