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Denholm

Boy name · 13 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Denholm: 13 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2002.

Denholm began as a Scottish place-name from the Borders, combining the Old English *denu* (“valley”) and *holm* (“island” or “water meadow”), so it describes a valley by a river. The name is best known through the English actor Denholm Elliott, a BAFTA-winning character actor who appeared in films such as *Raiders of the Lost Ark* and *A Room with a View*. The village of Denholm in Roxburghshire shares the same origin, and the name was historically a surname before gaining steady, if rare, use as a first name in Scotland. Though never ranking among the most popular choices, Denholm has a crisp, distinguished feel that appeals to parents seeking something traditional yet uncommon, with a clear Scottish heritage.