MallowbyNames

Thorsten

TOR-sten · Thor's stone or thunder stone.

2025 rank (boys)
#6,446
Babies named in 2025
13
Peak popularity
2023
2025 frequency
1 in 131,390 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2022

Declining since 2022, #6,446 for boys today.

Popularity of Thorsten since 1969

Babies named Thorsten per year in U.S. Social Security records.

61218198020002020Most births 2020Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1960s8
1970s12
1980s0
1990s5
2000s12
2010s107
2020s89

Meaning & origin

Thorsten is a German and Scandinavian variant of Thorstein, rooted in Old Norse mythology with the meaning 'Thor's stone.' The name has a long history in Scandinavia and Germany, but in the United States it remains rare. In 2025, it ranked 6,446, with only about 1 in 131,390 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak popularity in the U.S. occurred in 2023, and it has been falling in use since 2022. While it has no recorded top states, Thorsten is likely used by families with German or Scandinavian heritage. The name carries a strong, mythological resonance without being common, offering a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with ancient roots and a solid, masculine sound.

Thorsten is a German and Scandinavian variant of Thorstein, derived from Old Norse Þórsteinn, composed of Þórr (the god Thor) and steinn (stone). The name was borne by numerous figures in Norse sagas and has been used in Germany and Scandinavia for centuries. It gained modest popularity in Germany during the 20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Torsten, Thor

Variants: Torsten, Thorstein, Torstein, Thorsteinn

Sibling names for Thorsten

Names that share Thorsten's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

T is for Thorsten, our favorite little boy.

T is for Thorsten…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Thorsten's letter becomes Thorsten's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Thorsten's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Thorsten mean?
Thorsten means 'Thor's stone' or 'thunder stone,' from the Old Norse elements Þórr (the god Thor) and steinn (stone).
How popular is Thorsten?
Thorsten is uncommon in the United States, ranking 6,446 in 2025, with about 1 in 131,390 boys given the name that year.
Is Thorsten a boy's or girl's name?
Thorsten is almost exclusively a boy's name.