Declining since 1997.
Popularity of Kerstin since 1950
Babies named Kerstin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 64 |
| 1960s | 315 |
| 1970s | 339 |
| 1980s | 445 |
| 1990s | 783 |
| 2000s | 489 |
| 2010s | 97 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Kerstin is a German and Scandinavian short form of Christina, a name with deep Christian roots meaning 'follower of Christ.' In the United States, Kerstin first appeared in Social Security records in 1950, reflecting early post-war immigration patterns. Its peak year was 1998, when it reached its highest recorded usage. Since 1997, the name has been on a steady decline, consistent with a broader turn away from Christina variants after the 1990s. While it never cracked the top 1,000 nationally, Kerstin has maintained a quiet presence, particularly in German-American communities. The name's trajectory illustrates how regional and cultural favorites can hold steady usage without breaking into mainstream popularity.
Kerstin is a German and Scandinavian short form of Christina, the Latin feminine form of Christianus, meaning 'follower of Christ.' It has been used in Sweden and Germany since the Middle Ages and remains particularly common in Sweden, where it peaked in popularity in the 1990s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kerstin, Kerst, Stina
Sibling names for Kerstin
Names that share Kerstin's style, for a brother or sister.
