"winding valley"
Origin: Old English/Scottish
Language: English
Camden
Pronunciation: [ k-AMD-uhn ]
Does Camden flow with your last name?
A bold Scottish valley name with modern appeal
American
English
Modern
Bold
Strong
Playful
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Camden
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Camden
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"enclosed valley"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Camden
See all →What the Camden report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Camden 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 Camden
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Camden head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Camden 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 Camden
Camden originated as a Scottish and English surname derived from the Old English 'camb denu,' meaning 'winding valley' or 'enclosed valley.' It was most notably carried by William Camden, the renowned 16th century English historian and antiquary who wrote Britannia, the first comprehensive topographical survey of Britain. As a surname it became associated with scholarship and intellectual heritage.
Camden began crossing from surname to first name in the US in the 1990s, accelerating through the 2000s and 2010s as parents sought place-inspired gender-neutral names. It has become particularly popular as a girl's name, following the same trajectory as Madison, Brooklyn, and other location-inspired names.
Camden Market in London is one of the world's most famous street markets and the heart of London's alternative culture scene. The name carries both British heritage and American geographic associations, giving it broad appeal.
Historical Record
Camden first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 3,771 babies have been named Camden in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Camden is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,580 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Camden Market in London attracts over 100,000 visitors every weekend
- William Camden (1551-1623) created the first comprehensive geographical survey of Great Britain and coined the name 'Britannia'
Camden in Other Languages
Scottish
Camdean
Popularity Over Time
#1,580
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,580
- Total SSA Count
- 133
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cam
Cami
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Camden
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Camden fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Camden is also used as a boy name, ranked #193.
View Camden as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Camden →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 Camden with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Camden
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Camden and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Camden 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 →
Emryn
Girl
Welsh via Latin origin
"immortal, divine ruler"
#1,499 in US
Hellen
Girl
Ancient Greek origin
"light, bright, shining"
#1,635 in US
Zarah
Girl
Arabic origin
"flower, blossom, radiance"
#1,388 in US
Pepper
Girl
Old English origin
"the pepper plant or its fruit"
#1,626 in US
Walker
Girl
Old English origin
"cloth walker, fuller"
#1,754 in US
Paityn
Girl
Old English origin
"warrior's estate, Paega's settlement"
#1,699 in US
Calla
Girl
Greek origin
"beautiful"
#1,518 in US
Myah
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"illusion"
#1,478 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Camden's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Camden
What does the name Camden mean?
"winding valley" (from Old English/Scottish). "enclosed valley" (from Old English). Camden originated as a Scottish and English surname derived from the Old English 'camb denu,' meaning 'winding valley' or 'enclosed valley.' It was most notably carried by William Camden, the renowned 16th century English historian and antiquary who wrote Britannia, the first comprehensive topographical survey of Britain. As a surname it became associated with scholarship and intellectual heritage.
What is the origin of the name Camden?
Camden has Old English/Scottish, Old English, American, and English origins. In Old English/Scottish, it means "winding valley". In Old English, it means "enclosed valley".
Is Camden a boy or girl name?
Camden is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1580. As a boy name, it is ranked #193. Camden is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Camden?
Camden is pronounced k-AMD-uhn.
How popular is the name Camden?
Camden is currently ranked #1580 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Camden?
Common nicknames for Camden include Cam and Cami.
What are good middle names for Camden?
Popular middle name pairings include Camden Grace, Camden Rose, Camden Leigh, Camden Marie, Camden Claire, and Camden Anne.
What are good sibling names for Camden?
Names that pair well with Camden as siblings include Hadley, Avery, Parker, Emerson, Sutton, and Holden.
How many syllables does Camden have?
Camden has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Camden a common or rare name?
Camden is an uncommon name, ranked #1580 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Camden?
Are there other spellings for Camden?
Related spellings include Camdyn.
About the Name Camden
Camden is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "winding valley" in Old English/Scottish .
Is Camden a boy or girl name? Camden is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,580 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #193. Camden is more commonly used as a boy name.
Camden is currently ranked #1,580 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Camden has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AMD-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Camden include Cam and Cami. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Camden include Camdyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English/Scottish Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More girl names like Camden
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