UK name, mostly boys
Golden
Derived from the radiant precious metal, symbolizing splendor and excellence.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 6 girls.
Golden is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Golden popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4812, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2006 to 2017. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Golden. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Golden ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 3 boys were registered as Golden.
- • Golden is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Golden as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 60.0% of Golden registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4812
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2006
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Golden
In England and Wales birth records, Golden has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 60.0% of registrations are for boys and 40.0% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Golden registered for boys
- Ranked #4,812 in 2017
- 3 boys registered in 2017
- Peak: 2006 (3 births)
Golden registered for girls
- Ranked #5,891 in 2024
- 3 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2012 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Golden mean?
The given name Golden traces its origins to the English language, derived from the word "gold," which refers to the precious metal known for its distinctive yellow color and luster. This name likely emerged during the Middle English period, from the 12th to the 15th century, when the word "gold" took its modern form.
The name Golden is believed to have been bestowed upon individuals to symbolize wealth, prosperity, and the desire for a life filled with abundance and success. In some cases, it may have been associated with golden-haired infants, whose hair color was seen as a sign of beauty and desirability.
While there are no direct references to the name Golden in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is possible that it was inspired by the symbolic significance of gold in various cultures throughout history. For instance, in ancient Egyptian mythology, gold was associated with the sun god Ra, representing eternal life and divinity.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Golden was Golden Dicky (c. 1598-1638), an English actor and comedian known for his performances in plays by William Shakespeare and other notable playwrights of the time.
Another notable figure was Golden Hinman (1808-1875), an American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Binghamton, New York. He was instrumental in establishing several educational institutions and public works projects.
In the literary world, Golden Richards (1835-1891) was a British author and playwright who wrote several successful plays and novels during the Victorian era, including the popular work "The Maid of Honour."
The name Golden also found its way into the realm of sports, with Golden Graham (1920-1983), an American professional basketball player who played for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) during the 1940s and 1950s.
More recently, Golden Tate (born 1988) is an American football wide receiver who has played for various teams in the National Football League (NFL), including the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions, earning recognition for his exceptional catching abilities.
These are just a few examples of individuals who carried the name Golden throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who bore this distinctive moniker.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Golden over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Golden in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Golden, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Golden by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Golden was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4780 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4052 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Golden
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Golden: questions and answers
How popular is the name Golden in the UK right now?
In 2017, Golden was ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Golden most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 3 babies registered as Golden in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Golden?
Derived from the radiant precious metal, symbolizing splendor and excellence.
How many people are called Golden in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Golden across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.