UK boy's name
Marsden
From an English place name referring to a marsh settlement.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Marsden is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Marsden popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4432, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 5 births.
This profile covers 8 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2007 to 2008. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 8 living people in the UK are called Marsden. 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 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Marsden ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 5 boys were registered as Marsden.
- • About 8 living people in the UK are estimated to have Marsden as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4432
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
2007
5 births
Estimated living
8
2026
Meaning
What does Marsden mean?
Marsden is an English given name with origins tracing back to the Old English language and the Anglo-Saxon era. The name is derived from the words "mær" meaning "moor" or "marsh," and "denu" meaning "valley." Together, these words formed the Old English place name "Mersden" or "Mersedene," referring to a valley or settlement located near a marsh or swampy area.
The earliest recorded use of the name Marsden can be found in the Domesday Book, a landmark survey of land and property conducted in England in 1086. Several places with the name Marsden or variations thereof are mentioned in this historical record, indicating the name's long-standing presence in England.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Marsden was John Marsden (c. 1360–1416), an English Benedictine monk and chronicler. He is known for his account of the reign of King Richard II, titled "Historia Anglorum" (History of the English).
Another prominent figure was Ralph Marsden (c. 1589–1670), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge from 1635 until his death. He played a significant role in the university's affairs during the English Civil War period.
In the 18th century, Samuel Marsden (1765–1838) was a notable Anglican clergyman and missionary. He is often referred to as the "Apostle of New Zealand" for his efforts in establishing the first Christian mission in that country in 1814.
Moving into the 19th century, Jeremias Marsden (1804–1882) was an English inventor and engineer. He is credited with developing one of the earliest successful designs for a rotary printing press, which revolutionized the printing industry.
Lastly, Millard Marsden (1898–1972) was an American architect and industrial designer. He is particularly known for his contributions to the Art Deco style and his work on various public buildings and commercial projects in the United States during the mid-20th century.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the given name Marsden throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and diverse applications across various fields and eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Marsden over time
The chart below shows babies named Marsden registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Marsden, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Marsden by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Marsden 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3764 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Marsden
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Marsden: questions and answers
How popular is the name Marsden in the UK right now?
In 2008, Marsden was ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Marsden most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 5 babies registered as Marsden in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Marsden?
From an English place name referring to a marsh settlement.
How many people are called Marsden in the UK?
A total of 8 babies have been registered as Marsden across the 2 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.