Camden is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years, particularly as a boys' name. The name Camden is derived from the Old English word "Cædmunt", which means "freeholder" or "warlike". It was originally used as a surname before being adopted as a given name.
The city of Camden, New Jersey, located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, is named after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, who was a prominent British jurist and politician in the 18th century. The city's name has contributed to the popularity of the name Camden in recent years.
In literature, Camden is also associated with the works of William Shakespeare. In his play "King John", one of the characters is named Philip "Faithful" Camden. Additionally, there is a reference to the city of Camden in Shakespeare's sonnet 37.
The name Camden has no specific meaning or association beyond its etymological origin and its connection to the city of Camden, New Jersey. However, it has a strong and distinctive sound that makes it appealing as a given name. In recent years, Camden has become increasingly popular as a boys' name, but it can also be used for girls.
Overall, Camden is a name with a rich history and an interesting origin story. While its meaning may not have any deep symbolic significance, the name's strong sound and distinctive character make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a unique and memorable name for their child.
From the provided statistics, we see a significant increase in the number of births with the name Camden over time. Early on, from 1915 to around 1980, the numbers fluctuated but remained relatively low and consistent, ranging between 5 and 19 births per year.
However, starting from the late 1980s, there was a notable rise in popularity. Between 1984 and 2003, the number of annual Camden births surged dramatically, jumping from 41 to over 1200 births per year. This trend continued into the early 2000s, peaking at 3897 births in 2013.
Recently, since around 2016, there has been a decline in popularity, with the number of annual Camden births dropping from over 3300 in 2016 to approximately 2000 births per year as of 2022 and 2023. Despite this recent decline, the name Camden remains much more popular than it was in the early-to-mid 20th century.
In total, there have been 55557 births with the name Camden from 1915 to 2023.