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Holden

Boy name · 12 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Holden: 12 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2011.

Holden began as an English surname, rooted in Old English *hol denu*—"hollow valley"—describing someone who lived in a sheltered dell. The name is most famously associated with Holden Caulfield, the rebellious protagonist of J.D. Salinger's *The Catcher in the Rye*, whose angst made the name iconic in modern literature. It also belonged to Oscar-winning actor William Holden, star of classics like *Stalag 17*. Several places share the name, including Holden in Massachusetts and Holden Township in Michigan, both named for early settlers rather than the root meaning. A curious aside: the Holden car brand, once Australia's beloved automaker, took its name from a saddlery founder, not the personal name, but

Boy 3 of 52 years

Peak year
20114 babies
Latest (2024)
#6194 babies
Total births
12since 2011
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2011 · 4
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).