Keirsten is a unique and beautiful feminine given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "Cearstaing," which means "best" or "most excellent." The name Keirsten has been associated with Scotland for centuries, but it was not particularly common until recent years when it gained popularity as a modern alternative to more traditional names.
The history of the name Keirsten can be traced back to medieval Scotland, where it was often used as a nickname or byname for someone who was considered excellent in some way. Over time, the name evolved and became more commonly used as a given name for girls. Today, Keirsten is still relatively rare compared to many other feminine names, but it continues to be chosen by parents looking for something unique and meaningful for their daughters.
In addition to its Scottish origins, Keirsten has also been associated with Ireland and Wales. In Irish mythology, there was a legendary queen named Cearsa, who may have inspired the use of the name in those countries. Regardless of its exact origins, Keirsten remains a powerful and distinctive name that carries with it a sense of excellence and uniqueness.
The name Keirsten has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past five decades. Between 1968 and 2020, there have been a total of 1,369 births registered with the name Keirsten.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the name was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 15 births per year. However, it began to gain traction in the mid-1980s, with 13 births recorded in 1984, followed by a peak of 25 births in 1989.
The name's popularity continued to grow throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Between 1990 and 2005, Keirsten was given to at least 37 babies each year, with peaks of 58 births in 1993 and 66 births in 2005. This period marked the name's highest level of popularity.
After 2005, however, the number of Keirstens born annually began to decline. Between 2006 and 2016, there were fewer than 45 births per year on average. Since 2017, the name has become quite rare, with only double-digit numbers recorded in 2018 (11 births) and 2020 (10 births).
Despite its fluctuating popularity over time, Keirsten remains a distinctive and unique name that has been chosen for more than a thousand babies across the United States since its first appearance on birth records nearly five decades ago.