Arden is a unisex given name and an English surname of locational origin. It is derived from three places called Arden in the United Kingdom: in Yorkshire North Riding, Cheshire, and the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire. The name ultimately comes from a Celtic word meaning "high".Etymology and HistoryThe surname Arden is of locational origin, referring to someone who lived near or came from one of the places named Arden. The Forest of Arden in Warwickshire is the most famous of these, and the Arden family from Warwickshire is one of only three English families that can trace their ancestry back to before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Celtic root word suggests a meaning related to height or elevation, possibly describing the terrain of the areas.Notable BearersNotable individuals with the given name Arden include Arden L. Bement Jr. (born 1932), an American engineer and scientist; Arden Cho (born 1985), an American actress, singer, and model; Arden Hayes (born 2008), an American child prodigy; and Arden Key (born 1996), an American football player. The name has also been used for fictional characters, such as Arden in Shakespeare's As You Like It, which is set in the Forest of Arden.Cultural SignificanceArden is a unisex name, though it has historically been more common as a surname. In modern times, it has gained popularity as a given name for both boys and girls, particularly in English-speaking countries. The association with the Forest of Arden gives the name a natural, literary quality.Meaning: "High" (from Celtic)Origin: English (locational surname)Type: Unisex given nameUsage Regions: English-speaking countries