Bowden

Bowden is a surname of English origin and a placename used for several locations in English-speaking countries. The name appears in medieval records and has been carried to communities in Britain, Canada, and the United States, among others. In Canada, Bowden, Alberta is a small town in central Alberta.

Notable people with the surname include Bobby Bowden (1929–2021), an American college football coach who led Florida State University for decades, and his son Tommy Bowden (born 1956), who also pursued a coaching career in college football.

As a toponym, Bowden appears in multiple jurisdictions, often commemorating historical landholders or geographic features. In literature and media, individuals with the surname Bowden have been active in various professions, including science, politics, and the arts.