Bolden
A boy's name of Old English origin with 61 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Bolden is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, a surname derived from bold — the Old English word for 'dwelling' or 'house,' combined with -den (valley). As a given name, it carries the strength of its own lexical meaning: bold, daring, confident.
Bolden shares both surname-name heritage and the happy accident of sounding like 'bold.' In an era of names like Holden and Golden, Bolden fits right in while carrying a distinctly courageous edge.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Bolden 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 Bolden’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bolden has 11+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1893.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 16 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 5 | — |
| 1940s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 13 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 6 | — |
The Story of Bolden
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1927, Bolden is a name steeped in history. Boys named Bolden are most likely born between 1917 and 1937.
How rare is Bolden?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Bolden is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1893, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 16 births that decade.
Bolden by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(11 years, 1893–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | #10956 |
| 2015 | 5 | #12318 |
| 2014 | 5 | #12330 |
| 1952 | 5 | #3798 |
| 1949 | 5 | #3743 |
| 1935 | 5 | #3705 |
| 1931 | 6 | #3426 |
| 1927 | 7 | #3489 |
| 1921 | 6 | #3920 |
| 1915 | 5 | #3886 |
| 1893 | 6 | #925 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bolden a boy's or girl's name?
When was Bolden most popular?
How popular is the name Bolden?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1893–2017