A suturing device comprising: a needle having a first end, which is pointed, and a second end, the needle having a curved distal section and a straighter proximal section, which is straight or has a radius of curvature greater than the curved distal section; a suture connected with the needle; an elongate body including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; an actuator including a mechanism operable to move the needle with respect to the elongate body; a curved needle holder extending away from the distal end portion or provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body, the curved needle holder including an inner surface defining a curved needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening through which the needle exits the curved needle holder when moving from a retracted position toward a released condition; and wherein the needle frictionally engages the inner surface when the needle is in the retracted position, wherein the needle contacts the inner surface of the curved needle holder in at least three different locations (124, 126, 128) along the needle when the needle is in the retracted position, wherein the needle contacts the inner surface of the curved needle holder at a first location, a second location and a third location along the needle, wherein the first location is located adjacent to the second end, wherein the second location is located offset from the second end toward the first end, and wherein the third location is located offset from the first end toward the second end, wherein the first location is located on an outer surface of the needle, the outer surface of the needle being positioned with respect to a center of a radius of curvature for the curved needle passage, characterized in that the third location is located on the outer surface of the needle and the second location is along an inner surface of the needle, the inner surface of the needle being positioned with respect to the center of the radius of curvature for the curved needle passage. a needle having a first end, which is pointed, and a second end, the needle having a curved distal section and a straighter proximal section, which is straight or has a radius of curvature greater than the curved distal section; a suture connected with the needle; an elongate body including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; an actuator including a mechanism operable to move the needle with respect to the elongate body; a curved needle holder extending away from the distal end portion or provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body, the curved needle holder including an inner surface defining a curved needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening through which the needle exits the curved needle holder when moving from a retracted position toward a released condition; and wherein the needle frictionally engages the inner surface when the needle is in the retracted position, wherein the needle contacts the inner surface of the curved needle holder in at least three different locations (124, 126, 128) along the needle when the needle is in the retracted position, wherein the needle contacts the inner surface of the curved needle holder at a first location, a second location and a third location along the needle, wherein the first location is located adjacent to the second end, wherein the second location is located offset from the second end toward the first end, and wherein the third location is located offset from the first end toward the second end, wherein the first location is located on an outer surface of the needle, the outer surface of the needle being positioned with respect to a center of a radius of curvature for the curved needle passage, characterized in that the third location is located on the outer surface of the needle and the second location is along an inner surface of the needle, the inner surface of the needle being positioned with respect to the center of the radius of curvature for the curved needle passage.