Tilden is a unique and distinctive given name of German origin. Its meaning and history are deeply rooted in the Germanic culture and language.
The name Tilden is derived from the Old German elements "tili" which means " tilia," referring to the tilia tree, also known as the linden tree, and "-man," signifying "of" or "like." Therefore, Tilden translates to "of the linden tree" or "like a linden tree."
In ancient Germanic cultures, the linden tree was revered for its strength, beauty, and longevity. It was often associated with gods and goddesses, and its wood was used for making spears, shields, and other important items. Thus, the name Tilden may have been given to children as a symbol of hope for a strong, resilient, and honorable life.
Tilden has not been particularly common throughout history, but it is believed to have been brought to England by German settlers during the medieval period. Today, it is still relatively rare, with only a small number of people bearing the name worldwide.
In literature, Tilden appears as a character in the novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The character, Tilden Wilson, serves as a minor but memorable figure, which may have contributed to the name's lasting popularity among literary enthusiasts.
Overall, Tilden is an unusual yet captivating given name with a rich history and meaning rooted in ancient Germanic culture. Its rarity makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a unique name for their child.
The name Tilden has seen a varied but overall increasing trend in popularity over the past century and a half in the United States. In its early years, from 1880 to 1920, it maintained a steady presence with fewer than 20 births per year, reaching as high as 19 births in 1916 and as low as 5 births in both 1882 and 1941.
However, from the mid-1930s onwards, Tilden began to gain traction. Between 1935 and 1940, there were between 6 and 14 births per year, peaking at 14 in 1938. This upward trend continued into the 1950s, with yearly births ranging from 6 to 14, excluding a spike to 22 in 1957.
The late 1960s and early 1970s saw another notable increase, with annual births fluctuating between 6 and 13. Then, from the mid-1980s onwards, Tilden's popularity started to surge significantly. Annual births jumped from a low of 5 in 1981 to a high of 28 in 2016.
This upward trajectory continued into the 21st century, with yearly births reaching new heights. Between 2009 and 2023, Tilden was born to between 12 and 39 babies annually, demonstrating its growing popularity as a name choice among American parents. Overall, since 1880, the name Tilden has been given to a total of 1,264 newborns in the United States.