Snowden
A boy's name of Old English origin with 52 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname, variant of Snowdon.
Snowden is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, a transferred surname from the English place name, meaning 'snowy hill' or 'snow valley' — from Old English snaw ('snow') and dun ('hill'). Surname-to-first-name transfers have been a consistent feature of American naming.
Snowden gained significant public recognition through Edward Snowden, the NSA whistleblower whose 2013 revelations sparked global debates about privacy and surveillance. For parents who love nature-connected surnames as first names, Snowden has a quiet, wintery poetry similar to names like Winter, Frost, or Sloane. It's an unusual choice with a clear meaning and a dramatic recent association.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Snowden's final sounds are clean, contemporary — among the most common endings in modern American names. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Snowden softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Snowden's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Snowden has 9+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1886.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 17 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 12 | — |
| 1910s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 5 | — |
The Story of Snowden
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Snowden is a name steeped in history. Boys named Snowden are most likely born between 1914 and 1934.
How rare is Snowden?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Snowden is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1886, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1930s with 17 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Snowden by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(9 years, 1886–2015)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | #11884 |
| 1939 | 6 | #3443 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3599 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4476 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4751 |
| 1924 | 7 | #3821 |
| 1917 | 6 | #3913 |
| 1916 | 6 | #3832 |
| 1886 | 5 | #1089 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Snowden a boy's or girl's name?
When was Snowden most popular?
How popular is the name Snowden?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1886–2015