Global upper ocean evolution in the Holocene is studied in two coupled ocean-atmosphere models under orbital forcing conditions at 3, 6, 8, and 11 ka. The annual mean sea surface temperature (SST) changes in the early to mid-Holocene are found to be forced mainly by the annual mean insolation forcing with an overall symmetric response of colder equator (1¿C in the Arctic). This SST change is consistent with a synthesis of mid-Holocene paleo-SST records. In contrast, the temperature response in the thermocline is dominated by an antisymmetric pattern with a cooling (warming) in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere midlatitudes. The thermocline response is determined predominantly by surface water subduction, and ultimately, the insolation forcing in local late winter.