Olden

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Olden

Pronounced OHL-den /ˈoʊldən/Medium

Meaning: Olden is best read as a variant of Alden, an English surname from the Old English personal name Ealdwine, 'old friend' (eald, 'old,' plus wine, 'friend'). The word olden, 'of former times,' likely reinforced its use as a given name.Low

In 30 seconds: Olden is a rare boys' name, most likely a form of Alden meaning 'old friend' (said OHL-den). It stayed uncommon through the early twentieth century.

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Origin LowEnglish, Old English

MeaningOlden is best read as a variant of Alden, an English surname from the Old English personal name Ealdwine, 'old friend' (eald, 'old,' plus wine, 'friend'). The word olden, 'of former times,' likely reinforced its use as a given name.

U.S. rank (1982)#5445 ↘ Falling

1982 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 514

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

Olden appears in United States records from the mid eighteen-eighties and peaks around 1918. It reads most naturally as a variant of Alden, itself from the Old English Ealdwine, 'old friend,' with the familiar word olden lending an extra, appealing sense of the venerable. It joined the surname-and-word names families were adopting for boys. It was never common, given to only a couple dozen boys a year even then.

With records stretching into the nineteen-eighties, Olden spans a grandfather-to-great-grandfather range and has not revived, though Alden itself is quietly trending. Its calm two-beat sound and 'old friend' meaning sit near Alden, Holden and Virgil for parents drawn to gentle vintage boys' names.

Did you know? Olden sounds like the word for 'bygone times,' but it most likely traces to Alden, an Old English name meaning 'old friend.'

Overall data confidence 44%

References - Olden — Likely variant of Alden; Old English Ealdwine 'old friend'

Variations

AldenOldan

Nicknames

OleDenny

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Olden…

Alden— the likely parent name meaning 'old friend'

Holden— a like '-den' vintage boys' name

Orville— same gentle old-fashioned sound

Virgil— a same-era understated classic boys' name

Explore names like Olden

By themerare english vintage surname-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Olden mean?

It is most likely a form of Alden, from the Old English Ealdwine, meaning 'old friend.'

How do you pronounce Olden?

It's said OHL-den /ˈoʊldən/, 2 syllables.

Is Olden a boy or girl name?

Olden is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Olden?

It was always rare, given to only a couple dozen boys a year around the nineteen-tens and twenties.