Camden

Camden began as an English place name -- most famously Camden Town in London -- before becoming a surname and, more recently, a first name. Its precise meaning is debated among place-name scholars, but it entered American naming as part of the broader trend toward place-name-inspired boys' names.

Shop your Camden necklace

What Does the Name Camden Mean?

Camden's exact meaning is uncertain. As an English place name it is often broken down as Old English camp ("enclosed valley" or "battlefield") combined with denu ("valley"), giving the loose sense of a "winding valley," though scholars disagree on the exact roots.

The Origin & History of Camden

Camden Town in London and Camden, New Jersey are the best-known places carrying the name; both trace back to it being used as an English surname before place names and first names diverged. Camden entered wider US use as a first name in the 2000s, part of a wave of place-and-surname names like Grayson and Lincoln.

Cultural Reach

Camden is recognized in the US both as a first name and through real places -- Camden, New Jersey; Camden, Maine; and Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles -- giving the name an easy, place-rooted familiarity.

Famous People Named Camden

Camden is still relatively new as a first name, and no widely known public figure carries it as a given name yet -- its recognition currently comes more from places than from people.

Nicknames & Variations

Cam is the common short form. Camdyn is an occasional alternate spelling, sometimes used for girls.

Is Camden a Good Name in 2026?

Camden remains a steady, moderately popular choice -- a place-inspired name with a crisp, modern sound that continues to hold its place in the US top 200.

Camden ranked #193 among US boys' names in 2024 SSA data, with 1,857 boys given the name.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Camden mean?

Camden's meaning is uncertain, but it likely comes from Old English roots for an enclosed or winding valley.

Is Camden a place name?

Yes -- Camden Town in London and the city of Camden, New Jersey are both well-known places with the name.

Is Camden used for girls too?

Camden is used mostly for boys, though the spelling Camdyn appears occasionally as a girls' name.

What is a nickname for Camden?

Cam is the most common nickname for Camden.

Is the name Camden rising or falling in popularity?

According to U.S. Social Security Administration birth data (rank among all American baby names, boys and girls combined), Camden is down from #280 in 2019 to #347 in 2024 — and its best year on record is 2013, at #162.

Popularity of the name Camden in the US

2013 · 4,018 babies · rank #162 (121 girls, 3,897 boys)