Royden

Royden is an English surname that became used as a given name. It is derived from a place name, meaning 'royal hill' or 'rye hill' from the Old English elements 'roy' (royal) or 'ryge' (rye) and 'dun' (hill). The 'royal hill' interpretation is more commonly cited. As a surname, it has been present in England for centuries, particularly in the East Anglia region.

The transition from surname to given name is a common pattern in English naming conventions, often occurring when a family name is adopted to honor a maternal line or a prominent individual. Royden gained some traction as a first name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, though it has never achieved widespread popularity.