Pronunciation: [hˈə͡ʊldən] (IPA) 
The word "Holden" is spelled with five letters comprising two syllables. The first syllable is pronounced as /ˈhoʊl/ which sounds like "hole" with an elongated "o." The second syllable is pronounced as /dən/ which sounds like "duh" with an "n" at the end. The IPA phonetic transcription for "Holden" is /ˈhoʊldən/. This word is often used as a surname or as a brand name for automobiles manufactured by Australian carmaker Holden.
Holden is a proper noun that primarily refers to a surname of English origin. It is a locational surname derived from the Old English words "hol" meaning "hollow" or "deep" and "denu" meaning "valley." Thus, the name Holden denotes someone who lived in or near a hollow valley.
Apart from its use as a surname, Holden is also occasionally used as a given name, particularly in the United States. As a given name, Holden carries the same meaning and connotations as the surname - referring to someone from a hollow or deep valley. It is often chosen as a first name with noble or dignified associations.
Holden also has additional references outside of its etymology. In literary terms, Holden Caulfield is the main character and narrator of J.D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye." Published in 1951, the novel is a classic American literary work that portrays the disillusionment and alienation experienced by the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, during his teenage years.
Furthermore, Holden is a well-known Australian automotive company. Established in 1856, Holden has played a significant role in the automobile industry, particularly in Australia. However, the company ceased manufacturing vehicles in 2017, marking the end of an era in the Australian automotive industry. The name Holden is often associated with quality vehicles and the Australian automotive heritage.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Holden" is a variant of the Old English word "haldan", which means "to hold" or "to keep". It comes from the Proto-Germanic root *haldaną, which has similar meanings in other Germanic languages. Over time, the word "Holden" became a surname and was used as a personal name in some cases. It is also often associated with the well-known fictional character Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye".
