Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Tolkien

Tolkien

♂ Boy

Pronounced TOL-keen /ˈtɑl.kin/Medium

Meaning: A German surname, variously from tollkuhn, 'foolhardy; bold/rash'; borne by the author J.R.R. Tolkien; we note the authorLow

In 30 seconds: A bold/rash one: Tolkien is a German surname. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'TOL-keen'). We note the author.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowGerman
MeaningA German surname, variously from tollkuhn, 'foolhardy; bold/rash'; borne by the author J.R.R. Tolkien; we note the author
U.S. rank (2025)#13706 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 25

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202420172025

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

Tolkien is a German surname, variously from tollkuhn, 'foolhardy; bold/rash'; borne by the author J.R.R. Tolkien (we note the author). A crisp, modern name (said 'TOL-keen').

In the U.S. it appears very recently as a surname-turned-given-name, boosted by fandom. Rare, a-bold-one at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Tolkien is a German surname, variously 'foolhardy; bold/rash' (from tollkuhn) — borne by the author J.R.R. Tolkien — a crisp, storied name (we note the author; said 'TOL-keen').
Overall data confidence 26%
References — Tolkien — German surname; author

Variations

Tolkein

Nicknames

Tolk

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tolkien…

Tobin— a fellow modern To- boys' name
Emerson— a companion literary surname name
Dawson— a kin surname-name boys' name
Thielen— a similarly popular pick
Thoren— another German name

Explore names like Tolkien

By themeuncertainsurname-namegermanpop-culture
By meaningBrave / Courage

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Tolkien mean?

Tolkien is a German surname, variously 'foolhardy; bold/rash' (from tollkuhn); borne by the author J.R.R. Tolkien. We note the author.

How do you pronounce Tolkien?

It's said TOL-keen /ˈtɑl.kin/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tolkien a boy or girl name?

Tolkien is a boy's name.

How popular is Tolkien?

Tolkien is a very rare name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia