Bowden Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Bowden is an Old English name meaning 'dwelling by the brook', which traces its roots back to the combination of 'bōc' and 'denu'. The name has evolved from Bōcden in Old English to its modern form. It carries connotations of nature and habitation and does not have biblical relevance. The name gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages and is viewed today as a distinctive and heritage-rich name.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Bowden"
Pronunciation
/ˈboʊdən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Bowden is derived from an Old English place name meaning 'the dwelling by the brook'. It combines 'bōc', meaning 'beech tree', and 'denu', meaning 'valley'.
Meaning
dwelling by the brook
Language Evolution
Old English: Bōcden, Middle English: Bowden, Modern English: Bowden
Historical Usage
The name Bowden gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages and has been used as both a surname and given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Boden, Bodden, Bowden
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary times, Bowden is perceived as a unique and somewhat traditional name, often associated with heritage and familial roots.
Famous People
Bowden Wyatt, American football player, Alex Bowden, British artist
📊 Bowden Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Bowden Name Visualizations
✨ Bowden Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 51 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Bowden"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Bowden"
"Bowden" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15579th of 16616 | 6 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6774th of 24088 | 166 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3390th of 23106 | 400 |
Regional Popularity of "Bowden" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
65.98% 4141st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Bowden" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Bowden"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Bowden" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Bowden" in the United States
The name Bowden is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Bowden has been stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Bowden' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10718th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15579th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6774th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3390th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Bowden' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.