Alden Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Alden originates from Old English, meaning 'old friend'. It evolved through various historical forms including Aldin, and has been in use since the 19th century. The name carries connotations of wisdom and companionship, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Alden"
Pronunciation
/ˈɔːldən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Alden is derived from the Old English elements 'ald' meaning 'old' and 'wine' meaning 'friend', thus it can be interpreted as 'old friend'.
Meaning
Old friend
Language Evolution
Aldin, Alden, Aldin
Historical Usage
Alden gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, as a given name and surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Aldin, Ald, Al
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Alden is perceived as a classic and sophisticated name, often associated with wisdom and friendship.
Famous People
Alden Ehrenreich, Alden Richards
📊 Alden Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Alden Name Visualizations
✨ Alden Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 517 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 47 US states, with strongest presence in Maine
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Alden"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Alden"
"Alden" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 453rd of 7545 | 2,746 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 529th of 6773 | 2,292 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 775th of 7552 | 1,712 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1104th of 10718 | 883 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1023rd of 16616 | 1,570 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 832nd of 24088 | 3,549 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 659th of 23106 | 4,803 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8681st of 9204 | 6 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 9243rd of 12526 | 20 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 12173rd of 19264 | 27 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6109th of 27321 | 208 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4975th of 35406 | 418 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 5978th of 30306 | 249 |
Regional Popularity of "Alden" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
24.93% 353rd/1416 |
24.58% 339th/1379 |
43.49% 1029th/2366 |
37.13% 424th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
27.10% 419th/1546 |
24.55% 382nd/1556 |
50.87% 1197th/2353 |
33.81% 523rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
36.15% 805th/2227 |
27.53% 669th/2430 |
43.74% 1248th/2853 |
26.41% 733rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
60.98% 1791st/2937 |
39.22% 1366th/3483 |
43.72% 1538th/3518 |
24.33% 984th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
44.75% 1649th/3685 |
25.18% 1127th/4475 |
23.80% 1236th/5194 |
15.36% 970th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
20.80% 953rd/4582 |
16.05% 829th/5164 |
12.83% 938th/7313 |
10.28% 767th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
16.14% 643rd/3984 |
13.13% 589th/4487 |
11.49% 784th/6822 |
9.18% 576th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Alden" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
100.00% 5194th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
60.00% 4388th/7313 |
100.00% 7463rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
87.73% 5985th/6822 |
- |
State-by-State Popularity of "Alden"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Alden" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Alden" in the United States
The name Alden is most popular in Maine, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Alden has been too falling for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Alden' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 453rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 529th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 775th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1104th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1023rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 832nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 659th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 8681st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 9243rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 12173rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6109th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4975th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5978th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Alden' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.