Holden

English

"hollow valley"

Updated Wed Nov 29 2023

Holden Origin and Meaning

The name Holden is both a boy's name and a girl's name of English origin meaning "hollow valley".

Holden is a classic case of a name that jumped out of a book and onto birth certificates--though it took quite a while. Parents who loved J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye are flocking to the name of its hero, Holden Caulfield -- not coincidentally in tune with the Hudson-Hayden-Colton field of names. (Trivia note: Salinger supposedly came up with the name while looking at a movie poster promoting a film starring William Holden and Joan Caulfield, though other sources say he was named after Salinger's friend Holden Bowler.) Another impetus was provided by a soap opera character introduced in 1985.

Among the celebs who have chosen Holden are Brendan Fraser and Mira Sorvino.

In Australia, only a car-lover would choose this name, which is inextricably linked with the car-brand.

# 283 in the US

Holden Rank in US Top 1000

# 221 on Nameberry

Holden Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Holden Popularity

283US2022
221Nameberry2023
175Future2028

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Famous People Named Holden

Holden BowlerAmerican athlete, singer and businessman
Holden FurberAmerican historian
Holden Chester RichardsonU.S. Navy aviator
Holden Álvaro RobertoAngolan activist and politician
(Herbert) Holden ThorpAmerican chemist
Holden John Seguso (b. 1988)son of tennis players Robert and Carling Bassett Seguso
Holden Richard Schroder (b. 1992)son of actor Rick Schroder
Holden John Dorough (b. 2003)son of singer Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys
Holden Fletcher Fraser (b. 2004)son of actor Brendan Fraser
Holden Paul Terry Backus (b. 2009)son of actors Mira Sorvino and Christopher Backus
Holden Everett Ladwig (b. 2009)son of pair skater Mark Ladwig

Holden Robert Jahangiri (b. 2013)son of actress Kate Levering and businessman Reza Jahangiri
Jack Holden Marsden (b. 2001)son of actor James Marsden
Finnigan Holden McCormack (b. 2002)son of actor Eric McCormack and Janet Holden

Holden in Pop Culture

Holden Caulfieldmain character in J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye"
Holdencharacter in James Patterson's Maximum Ride
Holden McNeilcharacter in "Chasing Amy"
Holden Snydercharacter on American soap opera "As the World Turns"
Holden Strausscharacter in the TV series "Pretty Little Liars"
Holden Spencefrom the movie "Everyone Says I Love You"
Holden Maxwellmain male character in Kristen Ashley's The Gamble
Holden Messengercharacter in Kiera Cass's "The Heir"
Holden Dippledorfcharacter in DisneyChannel's "Liv and Maddie"
Holden Matthewscharacter on Freeform's "Beyond"
Holden Carvermain character in the DC/Wildstorm Sleeper comics

HoldenAustralian automaker
Thomas "Holden" Worthercharacter in the movie "The Good Girl"
Holden Radcliffecharacter in the Marvel TV series "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Holdencharacter in American Horror Story season 5
Holden Fordcharacter in the Netflix series "Mindhunter"
Holden Reid Barclaymain male character in Scarlett Avery’s book “Bad Boy SEALs”.