"old friend, trusted companion"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Alden
Pronunciation: [ AHLD-uhn ]
Does Alden flow with your last name?
A Mayflower legacy name gaining new life
English
American
Vintage
Strong
Unique
Sophisticated
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Alden
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Alden
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"wise elder friend"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Alden
See all →What the Alden report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Alden the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Alden
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Alden head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Alden actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Alden
Alden comes from the Old English name Ealdwine, composed of 'eald' (old) and 'wine' (friend), meaning 'old friend' or 'trusted companion.' It was a common Anglo-Saxon given name that later became a surname. The Alden family gained historical prominence with John Alden, one of the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620, which kept the name alive in American consciousness for centuries. Today it is increasingly chosen for girls as well as boys.
Alden has experienced a steady revival as part of the broader trend toward Old English and Puritan surname names. Its use for girls has grown alongside names like Hadley, Emery, and Holden, which have crossed the gender divide.
John Alden was one of the most famous Mayflower Pilgrims and is celebrated in American history. His love story with Priscilla Mullins was immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1858 poem 'The Courtship of Miles Standish.'
Historical Record
Alden first appeared in US Social Security records in 1953.
Over 922 babies have been named Alden in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Alden is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,243 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- John Alden was the last surviving Mayflower passenger, dying in 1687 at about age 87
- The phrase 'Why don't you speak for yourself, John?' from Longfellow's poem is one of the most quoted lines in American literary history
- Alden shoes is a beloved American bootmaker founded in 1884, keeping the name in brand culture
Alden in Other Languages
French
Aldène
German
Aldwin
Old English
Ealdwine
Popularity Over Time
#5,243
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Riverleigh
Girl
"meadow by the river"
#5,350
Shilo
Girl
"His gift; place of peace; tranquil (Biblical place n..."
#5,118
Fanny
Girl
"French woman"
#5,174
Rylen
Girl
"little ruler"
#5,213
Avi
Girl
"spring"
#5,134
Compare Alden with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,243
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Al
Aldie
Den
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Alden
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Alden fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Alden is also used as a boy name, ranked #577.
View Alden as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Alden →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Alden with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Alden
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Alden and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Alden sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Riverleigh
Girl
English River + Old English leigh (meadow) origin
"meadow by the river"
#5,350 in US
Shilo
Girl
Hebrew origin
"His gift; place of peace; tranquil (B..."
#5,118 in US
Fanny
Girl
Latin origin
"French woman"
#5,174 in US
Rylen
Girl
Modern American (Ry- prefix + -len suffix) origin
"little ruler"
#5,213 in US
Avi
Girl
Hebrew origin
"spring"
#5,134 in US
Shaniya
Girl
Ojibwe origin
"I am on my way (variant of Shania)"
#5,139 in US
Cailynn
Girl
Welsh (lynn suffix) origin
"lake, waterfall"
#5,150 in US
Skylie
Girl
Old Norse origin
"sky, heavens, cloud"
#5,432 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Alden's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alden
What does the name Alden mean?
"old friend, trusted companion" (from Old English). "wise elder friend" (from Anglo-Saxon). Alden comes from the Old English name Ealdwine, composed of 'eald' (old) and 'wine' (friend), meaning 'old friend' or 'trusted companion.' It was a common Anglo-Saxon given name that later became a surname. The Alden family gained historical prominence with John Alden, one of the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620, which kept the name alive in American consciousness for centuries. Today it is increasingly chosen for girls as well as boys.
What is the origin of the name Alden?
Alden has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "old friend, trusted companion". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "wise elder friend".
Is Alden a boy or girl name?
Alden is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5243. As a boy name, it is ranked #577. Alden is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Alden?
Alden is pronounced AHLD-uhn.
How popular is the name Alden?
Alden is currently ranked #5243 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Alden?
Common nicknames for Alden include Aldie and Den.
What are good middle names for Alden?
Popular middle name pairings include Alden Rose, Alden Mae, Alden June, Alden Wren, Alden Sage, and Alden Paige.
What are good sibling names for Alden?
Names that pair well with Alden as siblings include Hadley, Holden, Weston, Emery, Sloane, and Darby.
How many syllables does Alden have?
Alden has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Alden a common or rare name?
Alden is an uncommon name, ranked #5243 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Alden?
About the Name Alden
Alden is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "old friend, trusted companion" in Old English .
Is Alden a boy or girl name? Alden is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,243 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #577. Alden is more commonly used as a boy name.
Alden is currently ranked #5,243 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Alden has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHLD-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Alden include Al, Aldie, and Den. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More girl names like Alden
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis