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Marsden
Pronounced MARZ-dun /ˈmɑːrz.dən/High
Meaning: Marsden is an English surname from places of that name in Yorkshire and Lancashire, from Old English elements usually read as 'boundary valley' — mearc, 'boundary', plus denu, 'valley' — though a 'marsh valley' reading is also given.Low
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
Marsden comes from villages in Yorkshire and Lancashire, whose name is read from Old English mearc, 'boundary', and denu, 'valley' — the valley at the border — though some read the first element as 'marsh'. The surname crossed into American first-name use, worn by the modernist painter Marsden Hartley. The exact first element is disputed, which we note (said 'MARZ-dun').
It is very rare as a first name in the U.S. Rare, northern English, and solid.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Marsden mean?
Marsden is an English place-name surname usually read as 'boundary valley', though a 'marsh valley' reading is also given, which we note.
How do you pronounce Marsden?
It's said MARZ-dun /ˈmɑːrz.dən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Marsden a boy or girl name?
Marsden is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Marsden?
Marsden is a very rare first name for boys in the U.S.