Espen
Espen is a boy's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
God-bear or divine bear.
Origin and history
Espen is a Scandinavian male given name derived from the Old Norse name Ásbjörn. It combines elements meaning 'god' and 'bear'. While traditionally common in Norway, it remains relatively rare in the United States, seeing modest usage in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
715 babies in the United States have been named Espen since 1880. It ranks #3961 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1762.
States where it is most popular
- CA (50 %)
- TX (50 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 46 |
| 2000-2010 | 205 |
| 2010-2019 | 299 |
| 2020-2029 | 165 |
Famous people named Espen
- Espen Bredesen: Ski jumper, Olympic athlete
- Espen Sandberg: Film director, Producer
- Espen Baardsen: Soccer player
Fun facts
- Espen is a Norwegian variant of the Old Norse name Ásbjörn, closely related to the Danish and Swedish name Asbjørn.
- The name fits well alongside other popular Scandinavian and nature-inspired names gaining attention in the 21st century.