Espen Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Espen is an Old Norse name that means 'divine spear'. It has evolved from the historical form 'Ásgeirr' and continues to be used prominently in Scandinavian countries today. The name carries traits of strength and nobility, and it has no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Espen"
Pronunciation
/ˈɛspən/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
Espen is derived from the Old Norse name 'Ásgeirr', which combines 'ás', meaning 'god', and 'geirr', meaning 'spear'.
Meaning
divine spear
Language Evolution
Ásgeirr, Espen
Historical Usage
The name Espen gained popularity in Norway and other Scandinavian countries during the Viking Age and has remained in use since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Asbjørn, Espen, Asgeir
Modern Popularity & Image
Espen is viewed positively in Scandinavian culture, often associated with strength and nobility due to its historical roots.
Famous People
Espen Andersen Bråten, a prominent Norwegian politician, Espen Lind, a well-known Norwegian singer and songwriter
📊 Espen Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Espen Name Visualizations
✨ Espen Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 48 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Espen"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Espen"
"Espen" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13420th of 16616 | 12 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4306th of 24088 | 324 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3714th of 23106 | 350 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9274th of 30306 | 133 |
Regional Popularity of "Espen" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
75.38% 4731st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Espen" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Espen"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Espen" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Espen" in the United States
The name Espen is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Espen has been stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Espen' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13420th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4306th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3714th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9274th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Espen' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.