Kersten
A feminine name of Germanic origin meaning "cherry stone" or "kernel".
Name Census estimates that about 869 living Americans carry the first name Kersten. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kersten today is around 36 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kersten births was 1997 (46 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kersten. 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.
People living today
869
~ 1 in 394,424 Americans
Peak year
1997
46 babies that year
Average age
36
years old
2015 SSA rank
#17,848
Tracked since 1963
Popularity
Kersten: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kersten from the 1960s through to the 2010s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 379 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kersten 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 Kersten during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kerstens live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. Missouri, California, Illinois recorded the most babies named Kersten, while Texas, Illinois, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 10 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kersten
The name Kersten is of German origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old High German word "Kerste," which means "Christian" or "believer." The name was initially used as a surname, particularly in areas of present-day Germany and the Netherlands.
During the Middle Ages, the name Kersten became associated with individuals who embraced Christianity or were deeply religious. It was commonly given to children as a way of expressing their parents' devotion to their faith. The name's popularity spread across various regions of Europe, particularly in areas influenced by Germanic cultures.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kersten can be found in the chronicles of the Benedictine monastery of St. Gallen in Switzerland, dating back to the 9th century. Here, a monk named Kersten is mentioned as a scribe who transcribed several religious texts.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kersten. One of the most famous was Kersten Miles (1150-1208), a German noblemen and knight who played a significant role in the Crusades. He was known for his bravery and unwavering faith, earning him the nickname "The Lion of Christ."
Another prominent figure was Kersten von Praun (1480-1542), a German Protestant theologian and reformer. He was a close associate of Martin Luther and contributed to the spread of the Protestant Reformation in Germany.
In the 17th century, Kersten Petersen (1623-1692) was a Danish astronomer and mathematician. He is renowned for his work on the motion of comets and his contributions to the development of telescopes.
The name Kersten also found its way into the world of literature. Kersten Gier (1858-1923) was a German novelist and playwright whose works explored themes of love, family, and social issues in early 20th century Germany.
Another notable figure was Kersten Lund (1901-1972), a Norwegian figure skater who won numerous championships and represented Norway at the Winter Olympics in 1924 and 1928.
While the name Kersten has its roots in Germanic cultures, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through migration and cultural exchange. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its rich historical significance and association with religious devotion and faith.
People
Kersten + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kersten as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kersten: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kersten?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 869 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kersten 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 394,424 US residents.
Is Kersten a common name?
We classify Kersten as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 918 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kersten most popular?
The single biggest year for Kersten was 1997, when 46 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kersten is about 36 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Kersten a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kersten in the SSA data are female. 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.
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.