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Home › Baby Names Directory › Tilden

Tilden

♀ Girl

Pronounced TIL-den /ˈtɪl.dɛn/High

Meaning: Tilden is an English surname from a place name in Kent, generally read as 'fertile valley' or 'Tila's valley' (Old English denu, 'valley'). Used as a modern given name, it leans to boys, so we note the cross-sex lean.Low

In 30 seconds: A valley in a surname: Tilden means 'fertile valley' in Old English (said 'TIL-den'). More often a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningTilden is an English surname from a place name in Kent, generally read as 'fertile valley' or 'Tila's valley' (Old English denu, 'valley'). Used as a modern given name, it leans to boys, so we note the cross-sex lean.
U.S. rank (2024)#13306 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 90

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320052024

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

Tilden comes from an English place name in Kent, made of a personal name or the word for 'fertile' plus denu, 'valley.' It became a surname and then, in modern America, a given name in the Camden and Holden mold. It is more often given to boys, which we note (said 'TIL-den').

It appears only very rarely for girls in the U.S., against heavier boys' use. Very rare, surname-style, and cross-sex.

Did you know? Tilden is a Kentish place-name surname — the -den ending is Old English denu, 'valley,' the same element in Camden and Holden. It is carried by the American statesman Samuel J. Tilden and the tennis great Bill Tilden.
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Tilden — English place-name surname; Old English denu 'valley'; boy-leaning

Variations

TildonTildaTildan

Nicknames

TillyTil

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tilden…

Camden— a like -den place surname
Holden— a like modern -den pick
Alden— a like Old English surname name
Emerson— a like unisex surname choice

Explore names like Tilden

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tilden mean?

Tilden is an English place-name surname, generally read as 'fertile valley' or 'Tila's valley.'

How do you pronounce Tilden?

It's said TIL-den /ˈtɪl.dɛn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tilden a boy or girl name?

Tilden is used for both but leans to boys — we note the lean.

How popular is Tilden?

Tilden is very rare for girls in the U.S. and more common for boys.

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