Holding steady.
Popularity of Kersten since 1963
Babies named Kersten per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 69 |
| 1970s | 148 |
| 1980s | 150 |
| 1990s | 379 |
| 2000s | 156 |
| 2010s | 16 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Kersten first appeared in U.S. records in 1963, and while it has never been a common name, it reached its highest popularity in 1997, when it ranked #1821. Since then, its usage has remained relatively stable, with a small number of newborn girls receiving the name each year through 2025. The name is a variant of the Scandinavian Kirsten, connecting it to the widespread Christina family of names. Its rarity in both the 1990s and today gives it a distinctive quality, setting it apart from more frequent choices like Kirsten or Kiersten.
Kersten is a variant of Kirsten, itself a Danish and Norwegian diminutive of Christina. Christina derives from the Latin Christianus, meaning "follower of Christ." The name has been used in Germany and Scandinavia since the Middle Ages, often associated with Saint Christina. In modern times, Kersten has seen modest use as a given name, particularly in the United States since the 1960s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kerstie, Kerstin
Sibling names for Kersten
Names that share Kersten's style, for a brother or sister.
