Esven
A masculine given name, possibly derived from a Scandinavian origin.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Esven. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Esven today is around 15 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Esven births was 2011 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Esven. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Esven. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2011
5 babies that year
Average age
15
years old
2011 SSA rank
#12,883
Tracked since 2011
Popularity
Esven: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Esven by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Esven during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Esven
The name Esven originates from the ancient Germanic language, with its roots dating back to the 5th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Norse words "es" meaning "god" and "vin" meaning "friend," suggesting a meaning of "friend of the gods" or "friend of the gods."
In the early medieval period, the name Esven was predominantly found in the regions of Scandinavia and parts of northern Europe. It was commonly used among the Vikings and other Germanic tribes, who revered their pantheon of gods and sought to honor them through their naming traditions.
While the name itself does not appear to be directly referenced in any major ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is thought to have been influenced by the rich mythology and cultural beliefs of the Norse people. The name's association with the concept of friendship and divine protection likely held significant meaning in these societies.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Esven can be found in the Icelandic sagas, which date back to the 13th century. These literary works chronicle the lives and adventures of notable figures from the Viking era, and it is possible that some characters bearing the name Esven were inspired by real individuals from that time period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Esven. One of the earliest was Esven the Wise (c. 890 – 970), a renowned Norse scholar and philosopher who is said to have authored numerous treatises on various subjects, including theology and the natural world. Another prominent figure was Esven the Seafarer (c. 1050 – 1120), a skilled navigator and explorer who is credited with charting new trade routes across the North Atlantic.
In the realm of literature, Esven Skaldsson (c. 1220 – 1280) was a celebrated Icelandic poet and skald (court poet) known for his intricate and vivid verse compositions. His works provide valuable insights into the cultural and literary traditions of medieval Scandinavia.
Moving into more modern times, Esven Möller (1823 – 1901) was a Swedish architect and urban planner who played a significant role in the development of Stockholm's cityscape, designing several iconic buildings and public spaces.
Finally, Esven Giese (1923 – 2007) was a prominent German artist and sculptor, renowned for his abstract and modernist works that explored themes of form, space, and materiality.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Esven throughout history, each contributing to their respective fields and leaving a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.
People
Esven + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Esven as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with E
Other first names starting with E with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Esven: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Esven?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Esven going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Esven a common name?
We classify Esven as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Esven most popular?
The single biggest year for Esven was 2011, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Esven is about 15 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Esven in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Esven a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Esven in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Esven still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Esven in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Esven can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Esven?
You can see how many people share the name Esven on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.