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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Espen — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Esosa|Esper
Scandinavian◈ Unisex · 52% boy · 48% girl↑↑ Surging

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Espen

◈

ES-pun · 2 syllables

Share Espen:
Compare with another name
Boy
#3710
↑↑ Surging
Boy
#3710
Popularity score: 17
↑↑ Surging
Peak
#3379 in 2021
5yr
+1222 ranks
Velocity
+1222
Birth frequency
8.3 per 1,000,000 births
Girl
#12531
Popularity score: 5
↓ Fading
Peak
#6529 in 2022
5yr
-3355 ranks
Velocity
-3355
Birth frequency
1.9 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #3710 · Falling since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Scandinavian boy names
Espen

Popularity score: 17  ·  SSA Rank: #3710

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #12531 · Falling since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Scandinavian girl names
Espen

Popularity score: 5  ·  SSA Rank: #12531

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
84
Higher than 84% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↑↑ Surging
+1222 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
8 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
ScandinavianNatureUnisex2-syllableRareTree-nameModern-vintageGentle-strong
Character
quiet strengthindependent spiritthoughtful natureresolute character
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Espens

athleticdetermineddisciplinedfocusedskilled
STRONG
High confidence

Espen is a Scandinavian unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #3710 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↑↑ Surging · +1222 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#3710 · very rare
Espen at a Glance
Meaning:High-spirited or aspen tree. Derived from Old Norse elements suggesting elevated character or the trembling aspen, a tree symbolizing sensitivity and resilience.
Language root:Old Norse · Norwegian
Peak rank:#3379 in 2021
5yr change:+1222 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #3710 · Girl #12531
Notable bearers
Espen Jornatten
Norwegian footballer
Espen Knutsen
Norwegian biathlete
Similar Sound
Aspen◈Casper◈Harper◈Jasper◈Pepper◈
Similar Style
Soren◈LeifStellan◈Kai◈Birch
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Espen
IrisWren◈Hazel◈Stellan◈Beckett◈Piper◈Rowan◈Faye
You Might Also Like
Soren◈
Scandinavian · #571
→ Stable
Leif
Norse · #925
↓ Declining
Stellan◈
Scandinavian · #1441
↑ Rising
Kai◈
English · #76
→ Stable
Birch
English · —
→ Stable
Axel
Scandinavian · #78
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Espen · Overview
Summary

Espen is a Scandinavian unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #3710 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 0/100 → Stable

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Espen scores 84/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Surging fast
Rank has moved 1222 positions in the last year. Exceptional momentum.
Works for any sex
52% boy · 48% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature character
Espen carries a grounded, cool quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Rising very fast
Espen is surging. If the trend continues, it may become significantly more common within 2-3 years.
Domain taken
espen.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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