Declining since 2011, #4,139 for boys today.
Popularity of Karsten since 1950
Babies named Karsten per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0 | 18 |
| 1960s | 0 | 98 |
| 1970s | 5 | 283 |
| 1980s | 5 | 211 |
| 1990s | 51 | 498 |
| 2000s | 72 | 1,084 |
| 2010s | 34 | 887 |
| 2020s | 5 | 173 |
Meaning & origin
Karsten, a Danish and German short form of Christian, has a modest presence in U.S. naming records since 1950. It reached its peak rank of 4,139 in 2010, but has since declined, reflecting a steady fall from 2011 onward. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 68,323 boys received the name, placing it among less common choices. While it never broke into the top 1,000, Karsten maintains consistent usage in families with Scandinavian or German heritage. Its trajectory mirrors a broader shift away from traditional Christian-derived names in favor of more modern coinages.
Karsten is a Low German and Scandinavian short form of the name Christian. Derived from the Greek name Christianos meaning 'follower of Christ,' it gained popularity in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages as a vernacular form. In Germany and Denmark, Karsten became established as an independent given name by the 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Karst, Kai
Variants: Carsten, Karstens
Sibling names for Karsten
Names that share Karsten's style, for a brother or sister.
