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Tilden

Pronunciation: [ t-IHLD-uhn ]

Boy Name #3,105 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A rare Old English gem with rugged, earthy charm

English American
Vintage Strong Unique Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"fertile valley dweller"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"good valley"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Associated with Samuel Tilden, who won the popular vote but lost the disputed 1876 presidential election

The Story of Tilden

Tilden is an Old English surname turned given name, derived from the elements 'til' (fertile, good) and 'denu' (valley). As a place name it described settlements in productive lowland areas. Like many Old English surnames, it began crossing into first-name usage in the 19th century as a way to honor family heritage or notable figures.

Tilden has been slowly gaining traction as parents seek out vintage-sounding names that feel familiar yet distinctive. Its similarity to the popular Holden and Hayden gives it instant recognizability while remaining rare on classroom rosters.

Samuel Jones Tilden, the 19th century Democratic politician and New York governor, brought lasting recognition to the name in American history. The Tilden name is also associated with distinguished academic institutions.

Fun Facts

  • Samuel Tilden won the popular vote in 1876 but lost the presidency in a controversial electoral commission decision
  • The New York Public Library was funded largely by Samuel Tilden's estate

Tilden in Other Languages

French Tilden
German Tilden
Spanish Tilden

Famous People Named Tilden

B

Bill Tilden

Athlete

1893

Dominant American tennis player of the 1920s and first American to win Wimbledon

S

Samuel J. Tilden

Politician

1814

New York governor and 1876 Democratic presidential candidate who won the popular vote but lost in a disputed election

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#3,105
Total SSA Count
39
Cultural Origins
English American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

Til Tilly

Pairs Well With

Tilden James Tilden Cole Tilden Grey Tilden Wade Tilden Reid Tilden Hart Tilden Lee

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Tilden is also used as a girl name, ranked #19556.

View Tilden as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tilden

What does the name Tilden mean?
"fertile valley dweller" (from Old English). "good valley" (from Anglo-Saxon). Tilden is an Old English surname turned given name, derived from the elements 'til' (fertile, good) and 'denu' (valley). As a place name it described settlements in productive lowland areas. Like many Old English surnames, it began crossing into first-name usage in the 19th century as a way to honor family heritage or notable figures.
What is the origin of the name Tilden?
Tilden has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "fertile valley dweller". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "good valley".
Is Tilden a boy or girl name?
Tilden is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3105. As a girl name, it is ranked #19556. Tilden is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Tilden?
Tilden is pronounced t-IHLD-uhn.
How popular is the name Tilden?
Tilden is currently ranked #3105 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Tilden?
Common nicknames for Tilden include Til and Tilly.
What are good middle names for Tilden?
Popular middle name pairings include Tilden James, Tilden Cole, Tilden Grey, Tilden Wade, Tilden Reid, Tilden Hart, and Tilden Lee.
What are good sibling names for Tilden?
Names that pair well with Tilden as siblings include Fletcher, Sutton, Dashiell, Winona, Holden, Sloane, and Merritt.
How many syllables does Tilden have?
Tilden has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Tilden a common or rare name?
Tilden is an uncommon name, ranked #3105 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Tilden

Tilden is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "fertile valley dweller" in Old English .

Is Tilden a boy or girl name? Tilden is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,105 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #19,556. Tilden is more commonly used as a boy name.

Tilden is currently ranked #3,105 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Tilden has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-IHLD-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Tilden include Til and Tilly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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