Girl · 222nd of 27,321
Kirsten
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
53,331
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1991
Peak Popularity Year
1,938
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kirsten stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Kirsten is a name of Danish origin that means 'Christian'. It evolved from the name Christine and has historical forms like Kristina. The name carries traits of strength and individuality, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and is now seen as both traditional and modern.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɪrstən/
Origin
Danish
Etymology
Kirsten is a diminutive form of the name Christine, which ultimately derives from the Latin 'Christianus', meaning 'follower of Christ'.
Meaning
Christian
Language Evolution
Christine, Kristina, Kirsten
Historical Usage
Kirsten gained popularity in Scandinavia during the 20th century and has since been adopted in various other cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Kristen, Christina, Kirsty
Modern Popularity & Image
Kirsten is viewed as a traditional yet modern name, often associated with strong cultural roots and a sense of individuality.
Famous People
Kirsten Dunst, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kirsten Neuschäfer
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,938 peak births in 1991
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Washington
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7025th of 7552 | 8 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4131st of 10718 | 101 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6776th of 16616 | 83 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 17241st of 24088 | 20 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2676th of 9204 | 201 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 781st of 12526 | 3,039 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 306th of 19264 | 13,540 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 222nd of 27321 | 20,205 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 338th of 35406 | 14,934 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1987th of 30306 | 1,200 |