Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Kirsten
GirlScandinavian, Danish· “follower of Christ”
- Meaning
- follower of Christ
- Origin
- Scandinavian, Danish
- Pronunciation
- KUR-stuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,841
- US babies 2025
- 60
- Best rank
- #154 (1991)
- Peak year
- 1991
Meaning and origin of Kirsten
Kirsten is a Scandinavian and Danish name that means “follower of Christ”.
Kirsten is a Danish and Norwegian form of Christine, from the Latin Christiana, meaning follower of Christ. It became common in Scandinavia and later spread to English-speaking countries, especially the United States, in the second half of the twentieth century. Actress Kirsten Dunst is a well-known bearer, and Norwegian opera singer Kirsten Flagstad was one of the great sopranos of her time. Kirsten has a crisp, Nordic sound. Kirstin and Kiersten are alternative spellings, and Kirsty and Kiki are friendly nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kersten.
Popularity over time
Kirsten first appears in US Social Security records in 1937. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 56 different years, starting in 1957. Its best national rank was #154 in 1991, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,931 babies. In 2025, 60 babies were named Kirsten, and it ranked #2,841 nationally. That is 51% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,815 in 1950, #343 in 1980, #255 in 2000, #842 in 2010, and #2,841 in 2025. Of the 53,181 US girls named Kirsten since records began, 32% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 9,337 babies. Since 2010, 2,146 more have been named Kirsten.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Iesha, Shanice, Mercedes, Cristina, and Ashleigh.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kirsten ranked highest in Pennsylvania and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #791 | 12 |
| Arizona | #1151 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kirsten is usually pronounced KUR-stuhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with K and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kersten.
Middle names for Kirsten
A few middle names that flow with Kirsten: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kirsten
Similar names
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Lists that include Kirsten
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kirsten mean?
Kirsten is a Scandinavian and Danish name that means “follower of Christ”.
What is the origin of the name Kirsten?
Kirsten has Scandinavian and Danish roots. Kirsten is a Danish and Norwegian form of Christine, from the Latin Christiana, meaning follower of Christ.
Is Kirsten a popular name?
Not especially. Kirsten ranked #2,841 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kirsten a boy or girl name?
Kirsten is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kirsten?
Kirsten is usually pronounced KUR-stuhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings