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Kirsten

Girl name · 2,845 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kirsten: 2,845 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 126 births in 1995.

Kirsten is a Scandinavian and German diminutive of Christina, ultimately from the Greek *Christos*, meaning "follower of Christ." Brought to Britain via Nordic influence, it became a familiar choice in Scotland, where it shares roots with the more anglicized Kirsty. Famous bearers include American actress Kirsten Dunst, celebrated for her roles in *Spider-Man* and *Melancholia*; Norwegian operatic soprano Kirsten Flagstad, a towering figure of the mid-20th century; and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. While no major place is directly named after a bearer, the name’s etymological cousin Christina lends its name to towns such as Christina, Montana. A common variant is Kirstin, and the name saw a notable surge in Scottish baby name rankings during the 1970s and 80s.