Holden

Holden is an English surname derived from a place-name associated with a hollow valley. That landscape meaning predates its use as a modern first name. It belongs to the group of geographical surnames that can become given names through family connections or literary influence.

Holden Caulfield, the narrator of The Catcher in the Rye, is the strongest literary association. Actor William Holden supplies a separate surname reference. Families choosing Holden for the novel may want to consider the character as well as the name’s sound. The full two-syllable form is already manageable, without needing a shorter nickname.