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Walden

♂ Boy

Pronounced WAWL-den /ˈwɔːl.dən/High

Meaning: Wooded valley; one who dwells near the forested valleyHigh

In 30 seconds: An Old English name and surname meaning 'wooded valley,' evoking a pastoral, nature-rich landscape. Immortalized by Henry David Thoreau's Walden, the name carries literary and philosophical weight.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningWooded valley; one who dwells near the forested valley
U.S. rank (2024)#3202 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,490

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319082024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Walden originates as an Old English place name and surname, from weald (forest, wooded upland) and denu (valley), together describing a valley set among woodlands. Place names such as Walden in Essex and Hertfordshire, England, carry this etymology. The surname Walden was borne by English families whose ancestors lived near such locations.

As a given name, Walden has been used sporadically in English-speaking countries, often chosen by parents drawn to its literary associations with Thoreau and its strong nature imagery. In contemporary usage it fits neatly into the trend of distinguished old surnames repurposed as first names, appealing to parents who value rugged outdoor connotations paired with intellectual depth.

Did you know? Henry David Thoreau published Walden; or, Life in the Woods in 1854, recording his two-year experiment in simple living near Walden Pond in Massachusetts — the book became a cornerstone of American nature writing and gave the name enduring literary prestige.
Overall data confidence 88%
Oxford Dictionary of English Place Names — Old English etymology of WaldenThoreau, Henry David. Walden, 1854 — literary association

Variations

WaldonWaldo

Nicknames

WalWallyDen

Famous Bearers

  • ★Robert Walden (1943–present)
    American television and film actor best known for playing Joe Rossi on the series 'Lou Grant'.

If you like Walden…

Waldo— Old English name closely related to Walden
Holden— similar two-syllable surname-name with literary associations
Landen— phonetically similar name with the same -den ending
Warren
Weston

Frequently Asked

What does the name Walden mean?

Walden means 'wooded valley' from Old English weald (forest) and denu (valley), suggesting a peaceful, forested landscape.

How do you pronounce Walden?

Walden is pronounced WAWL-den /ˈwɔːl.dən/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Walden a boy or girl name?

Walden is used almost exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Walden?

Walden is an uncommon given name in the U.S., but appeals to parents drawn to literary references and nature-inspired names.