Character Name
Holden
Holden Through Salinger's Holden Caulfield, the name became inextricably linked to youthful idealism, cynicism, and the painful transition to adulthood. Characters named Holden are often depicted as sensitive observers who see through social pretense and suffer for their honesty — too principled to compromise, too young to know how to survive without doing so.
Best genres for Holden
Famous characters named Holden
Holden Caulfield
The Catcher in the Rye — J.D. Salinger
The alienated sixteen-year-old narrator whose raw, immediate voice and fierce hatred of "phoniness" made him one of the most iconic characters in American literature.
Variations & nicknames
Pairs well with
Writing a character named Holden?
Hearth's distraction-free editor helps you develop characters and write every day.
More English names
Quincy
“Quincy is an English surname used as a given name, of Norman French origin, derived from a place name in Normandy — Quincy-sous-Sénart — ultimately from Latin Quintiacum, meaning "estate of Quintius," where Quintius derives from the Latin quintus meaning "fifth." The name is associated in American history with the Adams family of Massachusetts and their hometown of Quincy.”
Loyal
“Loyal is an English masculine given name derived directly from the English adjective loyal, which came from the Old French loial and ultimately the Latin legalis meaning "legal" or "lawful." As a virtue name it emerged in American usage, carrying the straightforward meaning of faithfulness and steadfast devotion.”
Abigayle
“Abigayle is a variant spelling of Abigail, a Hebrew feminine name meaning "my father is joy" or "father's joy," from the elements av (father) and gil (joy). In the Old Testament, Abigail was the name of the wise and beautiful wife of David who averted conflict through diplomatic intervention.”
Zack
“Zack is an English masculine given name, typically a short form of Zachary or Zachariah, which derive from the Hebrew Zechariah meaning "God has remembered" or "remembered by God," from zachor (to remember) and yah (God). As an independent name it is found primarily in English-speaking countries, carrying an informal, contemporary quality.”
Watson
“Watson is an English surname and given name derived from a patronym meaning "son of Walter," where Walter itself comes from Old Germanic Waldhar meaning "ruler of the army." In medieval England Walter was commonly pronounced "Water," hence Watson literally means "son of Water." As a given name it is most famously associated with Dr. John Watson, Sherlock Holmes's loyal companion.”
Chasity
“Chasity is an English feminine name, a variant spelling of Chastity, derived from the Latin castitas meaning "purity" or "moral cleanness." It may also reflect a blend of the virtue names Charity and Chastity, and gained wider usage in American English during the twentieth century.”
Explore more