Find out how popular the first name Torstein has been for the last 3 years (from 2014 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Torstein by gender

Based on the last 3 years of data, Torstein is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Torstein.

The history of the first name Torstein

The given name Torstein has its origins in Old Norse, a North Germanic language spoken by the Scandinavian peoples during the Viking Age from around the 8th to the 11th centuries. The name is a compound of the elements "Tor" and "steinn", with "Tor" being the name of the Norse god of thunder and "steinn" meaning "stone" or "rock".

The name Torstein was widely used in Scandinavia during the Viking era and the Middle Ages. It was particularly common in Iceland, Norway, and the other Nordic countries. The name's connection to the powerful Norse god Thor likely contributed to its popularity among the Vikings, who revered the god of thunder and lightning.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Torstein can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of medieval Icelandic literature that recounts the histories and legends of the Norse people. The Saga of the Greenlanders, written in the 13th century, features a character named Torstein Eiriksson, who was a prominent figure in the exploration and settlement of Greenland.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Torstein. One of the most famous was Torstein Raude (Torstein the Red), a Norwegian chieftain and explorer who is believed to have led the first Norse expedition to Greenland around the year 985 AD. Another notable Torstein was Torstein Frá-Ávöldum, a 12th-century Icelandic skald (poet) and chieftain.

In the Middle Ages, the name Torstein was also found among the Scandinavian nobility and ruling classes. For example, Torstein Hallsson (born around 1130) was a Norwegian nobleman and chieftain from the powerful Bjarkøy clan. Additionally, Torstein Toresson (born around 1220) was a Swedish nobleman and a member of the influential Bjelbo family.

During the Viking Age and the early medieval period, the name Torstein was primarily confined to Scandinavia and the areas influenced by Norse culture and settlement, such as Iceland, Greenland, and parts of the British Isles. However, as the name spread and evolved over time, it has taken on various forms and spellings in different languages and cultures.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Torstein was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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