Linden is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "lind" which means "lime tree". It was commonly used as a surname in England during the Middle Ages and eventually became a given name as well.
The name Linden has no specific meaning or association beyond its connection to the lime tree. However, it is often associated with nature and beauty due to its origins. In literature, there are several notable characters named Linden, most famously in Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game" series.
Linden has seen a significant increase in popularity as a given name in recent years. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it was one of the fastest-growing boys' names in the United States between 2015 and 2020. However, it remains relatively rare compared to other popular boy's names.
Despite its increasing popularity, Linden is still considered a unique and distinctive name choice. Its nature-inspired origin and lack of established meaning or history make it an appealing option for parents looking for something different.
The name Linden has been given to a total of 3859 babies born in the United States between 1889 and 2023. The popularity of this name has varied significantly over the years, with a low of just 5 births in some years and a high of 112 births in recent years.
The most popular periods for the name Linden were during the early 1900s and again from around 1940 to 1960. During these times, there were consistently more than 30 births per year with peaks of over 50 births in some years. For example, in 1958 there were 46 births, and in 1953 there were 49 births.
However, the popularity of the name Linden has seen a significant increase in recent years. After dropping to single-digit figures in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the number of births with this name began to rise again in the mid-1990s. Since then, it has consistently been one of the more popular names given to babies born in the United States.
In fact, between 2015 and 2023, there were over 450 births with the name Linden each year. The peak was reached in 2021 with 112 births, which is the highest number of births recorded for this name since at least 1889.
This trend suggests that the name Linden may continue to be popular among parents choosing names for their children in the United States. However, it will be interesting to see how its popularity compares to other names and whether it maintains its current level of success or declines again in future years.