Boy name- too trendy?

LeapOfFaith10 · July 2013

My husband is a literary junkie. We still haven't decided on a name 100% yet, but he threw Holden out there because of Catcher in the Rye.

I was looking at name lists, etc.. and it's definitely on a lot of them, but it's not in the top of the top.

Does it sound too trendy? It's actually an older name but I feel like it kind of fits with the "den" trend going on right now.

If this helps at all- we are thinking Holden Thomas or Holden Benjamin.

Thoughts are appreciated.

Empireceo · July 2013

It's not a bad name, and I don't think it's trendy, but people will definitely know it's a CITR reference (well, people who read, anyway.)

brooksidebride · July 2013

Even though I shy away from the "den"/"aden" trend, I do really like this one. It's not exactly part of the "aden" trend... but it does have that same feel and sound and I do think it gets lumped in with that. That just doesn't bother me, though, because I like it so much (DH didn't).

I've heard people say that the Holden Caulfield reference is a bad one, but it doesn't bother me.

evaazalea · July 2013

It's trendy in the fact that it is a random last name for a first name. It's personally nms but I don't see it being incredibly popular and I wouldn't side eye the choice.

Helenahhandbasket · July 2013

Not trendy-- and I LOVE it.

Sadly-- my last name sort of sounds like the word "somebody" so together the two names sound like you are saying Holding Somebody. Not cute.

LeapOfFaith10 · July 2013

Helenahhandbasket:
Not trendy-- and I LOVE it.
Sadly-- my last name sort of sounds like the word "somebody" so together the two names sound like you are saying Holding Somebody. Not cute.

ha! Thanks for the insight, gals.

Meery82 · July 2013

Sorry, I don't like it and I do think it is becoming more popular.

TattooedLoisLane · July 2013

I do like Holden Thomas

Dr.Loretta · July 2013

I like it. I don't think it's trendy. I think the trend is more -aden than -den

ToBeMrsT · July 2013

I love it and I don't think it's trendy.

caittozer · July 2013

I like the name Holden and do not think its trendy or very popular at the moment. I like Holden Thomas. I do automatically think CITR though.

GretaBr · July 2013

I love Holden Benjamin. Holden is on our list.

Jesslauren310 · July 2013

i love Holden but my H vetoed it

but it's great!

mrsjenni · July 2013

I like it! Not sure what nn goes with it though (not that you need a set nn... none of my kids have one, all their nn's have nothing to do with their actual names.)

Zmommy2 · July 2013

I really like it. I like Holden Benjamin.

MissRdotS · July 2013

Love the name Holden! DH and I were contemplating it for a little, but it doesn't really flow with his last name (I kept my maiden name). I definitely don't think it's too trendy, but it does have a vintage feel, which i think is great.

NerdyLucy · July 2013

I like it, especially with those middle name choices.

mkhardy · July 2013

I really like it. I also think it sounds great with both your middle name options! It was on my list but sounds awful with my ln. I don't think it sounds too trendy!

Zimger · July 2013

I like Holden...I don't really see it as trendy. I see people mention that they like it but probably wouldn't use it for one reason or another.

I worry that it could set a child up for teasing. So I do like it but probably wouldn't use it.

alohamora · July 2013

Joy2611:
Holden gives off the vibe that the parents want to be appear literary, but couldn't think of a book beyond "Catcher in the Rye."nbsp; I don't want to have that feeling about it, but I do.nbsp; It doesn't come across as learned, it's "I'm trying so hard to show how learned I am but I only read this book in high school."nbsp; Does that make sense?nbsp; I'm sorry!EDIT: I also agree with wondering why you'd want to honor Holden from that book.nbsp; If your husband does love books, he must have a character in mind far more worthy.

I agree with all of this.

macchiatto · July 2013

I do see it as trendy.

And when I mentioned an acquaintance's son named Holden to DH, he couldn't stop making holdin' puns. I don't hate it, but I just don't really get the appeal and I agree that he doesn't seem like the best character to honor.

herecomesthesun · July 2013

Joy2611:
Holden gives off the vibe that the parents want to be appear literary, but couldn't think of a book beyond "Catcher in the Rye." I don't want to have that feeling about it, but I do. It doesn't come across as learned, it's "I'm trying so hard to show how learned I am but I only read this book in high school." Does that make sense? I'm sorry!
EDIT: I also agree with wondering why you'd want to honor Holden from that book. If your husband does love books, he must have a character in mind far more worthy.

Well, I certainly would choose Holden over Heathcliff or Beowulf. (I mean, if we are talking literary characters).

I like it though. I know of one and he's the cutest kid ever and really sweet. Obviously nothing like a possible namesake.

GrayGhost13 · July 2013

I love literary names, but Holden, much like Atticus, is one of the more obvious ones and, thus, more likely to become popular. If the name holds a special meaning for you, it makes sense to go with it, but if there's another lesser used literary name that would be more unique, I'd consider it too.

herecomesthesun · July 2013

Joy2611:
herecomesthesun:
Well, I certainly would choose Holden over Heathcliff or Beowulf. (I mean, if we are talking literary characters).
I'm not sure I understand your point. There are whole libraries full of books. It's not like these are the only three literary choices.

I meant that you could do a whole lot worse than Holden if you're going to go literary.

Kfran84 · July 2013

Estwd2:
brooksidebride:
I've heard people say that the Holden Caulfield reference is a bad one, but it doesn't bother me.
Yeah, I'm one of these people. Holden Caulfield was a major d-bag IMO, so I just don't get naming a child after him. The name itself is perfectly fine. It's just honoring the character that I have a hard time understanding. 

Me too. I love Salinger and think he has many other more admirable characters to name after. He made Holden a lost, selfish, angsty kid for a reason.

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