Arden
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 8,340 recorded births. Also given to 7,253 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Arden is a unisex baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English Ardan, meaning "high eagle valley" or possibly from the Celtic for "great forest." The Forest of Arden in Shakespeare's As You Like It is the pastoral paradise where the action unfolds.
Arden carries a distinctly literary quality — poetic, nature-rooted, and quietly sophisticated. It has been gaining ground as a gender-neutral name, appealing to parents who love the -en ending and the Shakespearean forest imagery that gives it a timeless, magical quality.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Arden belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their clean, contemporary ending — among the most common endings in modern American names. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Arden’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arden climbed 1302 spots in the last 20 years — from #2245 to #943.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 940 | — |
| 2010s | 942 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 538 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 221 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 176 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 224 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 402 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 688 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 981 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,266 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 1,159 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 681 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 66 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 41 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 15 | — |
The Story of Arden
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Arden is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Arden are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Arden?
Only about 1 in every 14,876 babies born in 2024 was named Arden — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1930s with 1,266 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Arden by the numbers
- Would fill 174 school buses
- Meeting one Arden per day would take 22.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(132 years, 1881–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 242 | #943 |
| 2023 | 214 | #1019 |
| 2022 | 155 | #1254 |
| 2021 | 161 | #1200 |
| 2020 | 168 | #1152 |
| 2019 | 129 | #1380 |
| 2018 | 124 | #1408 |
| 2017 | 122 | #1421 |
| 2016 | 105 | #1562 |
| 2015 | 92 | #1692 |
| 2014 | 94 | #1642 |
| 2013 | 69 | #1989 |
| 2012 | 76 | #1892 |
| 2011 | 76 | #1849 |
| 2010 | 55 | #2327 |
| 2009 | 70 | #1991 |
| 2008 | 70 | #2002 |
| 2007 | 79 | #1830 |
| 2006 | 57 | #2224 |
| 2005 | 57 | #2130 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Arden as a Girl's Name
Arden is a true unisex name. As a girl's name, it has 7,253 recorded births since 1914.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arden a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arden most popular?
How popular is the name Arden?
Can Arden be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024