Camden
/ˈkæm.dən/noun
A place name and surname, most famously the London borough of Camden.
Did you know?Camden is ultimately a place-name from Old English, and the -den element often points to a valley or pasture, showing how many “modern” names are really ancient landscape descriptions.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
Cāmdena
“A place-name element, probably referring to a valley or settlement associated with someone named Cāma/Cam.”
Medieval English
English
Camden
“A locality name that developed in English records as a settled place-name.”
17th Century
English
Camden
“Used as a surname, notably associated with the antiquary William Camden.”
18th-19th Century
English
Camden
“Applied to streets, districts, and other places named after the surname or the original locality.”
Modern English
English
Camden
“A proper noun for places, institutions, and surnames, especially the London borough.”