Rising since 1995, #3,848 for boys today.
Popularity of Espen since 1995
Babies named Espen per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2015, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Espen's real moment was 2021.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0 | 46 |
| 2000s | 0 | 205 |
| 2010s | 72 | 299 |
| 2020s | 76 | 165 |
Meaning & origin
Espen is a Scandinavian import that has been gaining in the United States since it first appeared in records in 1995. That year, it was virtually unknown, but by its peak in 2021, it had climbed to a national rank of 3848, and in 2023, approximately 1 in 61,003 boys received the name. The name's trajectory shows a steady rise over the past three decades, though it remains uncommon overall. Texas has been the top state for Espen, reflecting broader interest in Nordic names in certain regions. Its meaning, 'divine bear,' connects it to ancient Norse mythology, and its sound fits in with modern trendy names while retaining a clear cultural heritage.
Espen is a Scandinavian short form of Asbjørn, from Old Norse Ásbjǫrn, composed of elements áss meaning 'god' and bjǫrn meaning 'bear'. Historically used in Norway and Denmark, it has seen increased usage in the United States since the 1990s.
Where Espen is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Esp, Pen
Variants: Esben, Asbjørn
Sibling names for Espen
Names that share Espen's style, for a brother or sister.
