Landen is a masculine given name used in English-speaking countries, considered a variant of Landon. The name Landon itself originated as a surname derived from an Old English place name meaning "long hill" or effectively "ridge." The modern use of Landon as a first name was popularized in part by the actor Michael Landon (1936–1991), best known for his roles in television series such as Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie. As a variant, Landen follows a trend of names ending in -en or -yn (e.g., Landyn, another common variant). Landen is ultimately a modern invention building on the success of Landon. While Landen shares phonetic similarities with the Belgian municipality of Landen in Flemish Brabant, the given name is not directly derived from that place. The Belgian Landen is known as the birthplace of Pippin of Landen (c. 580–640), a Frankish nobleman and the father of Saint Gertrude, who is the city's patron saint. The area was also the site of notable battles, including the Battle of Neerwinden in 1693 during the Nine Years' War, as well as a second Battle of Neerwinden in 1793 during the French Revolutionary Wars. Despite these historical connections, the given name Landen draws primarily from the English surname tradition rather than these geographic or historical associations. Related names include Landyn, a separate variant, and the diminutive Lanny. Meaning: Derivative of Landon, meaning "long hill" (from Old English). Origin: English, derived from a surname of Old English origin. Type: Variant of a transferred surname used as a given name. Usage Regions: Primarily English-speaking countries.