Walden, derived from Old English words meaning "valley" and "hill," is an uncommon given name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It's a unisex name but has been more commonly used for males in recent times. The name Walden was popularized by Henry David Thoreau's book "Walden; or, Life in the Woods," which takes its title from the name of the pond where he lived in solitude.
The name Walden peaked in popularity during the late 19th to early 20th century, with over 20 births each year from 1915 to 1926. However, it declined steadily throughout the mid to late 20th century, dropping below 5 births per year by the late 1980s. Recently, there has been a resurgence in its usage, with over 30 births each year since 2017. As of 2023, Walden has been chosen for 55 newborns, the highest number recorded since at least the early 1900s.