Espen is a Norwegian masculine given name. In Norway it reached the peak of its popularity between 1970 and 1990, during which period approximately 1.1% of children were given that name.

Origin and variants

It originated as a variant of

Asbjørn Asbjørn is a Norwegian and Danish male given name. In 2013, there were more than 7,000 men in Norway with this name. In Norway it reached the peak of its popularity between 1910 and 1930, during which period approximately 1% of children were given ...

Esben Esben is a Norwegian and Danish male given name. Origin and variants It originated as a variant of Asbjørn. A common variant is Espen Notable people Notable people with this name include: * Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad, Norwegian physician and s ...

Given name

Notable people with the given name include:

Artists

Espen Aalberg Espen Aalberg is a Norwegian jazz musician (drums) known for his contributions in several orchestras like The Core, Shagma, Kwaz, Håvard Lund Quartet and musicians like Jonas Kullhammar, Håvard Wiik and Torbjörn Zetterberg. He also contrib ...

, Norwegian jazz musician, drummer *

Espen Berg (musician) Espen Berg (born 30 June 1983) is a Norwegian musician, arranger and composer from Trondheim, known for his collaborations with musicians such as trumpeter Per Jørgensen, saxophonist Marius Neset and the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. Career Berg wa ...

(born 1983), Norwegian musician, arranger and composer *

Espen Dietrichson Espen Dietrichson (born 17 September 1976 in Stavanger, Norway) is a Norwegian artist. He lives and works in Oslo, Norway. Dietrichson was educated at Oslo National Academy of the Arts (2000–2004). He is working mainly within the field of sc ...

(born 1976), Norwegian artist * Espen Eckbo (born 1973), Norwegian actor, writer and comedian *

Espen Sommer Eide Espen Sommer Eide (born in 1972) is a Norwegian composer and musician. Espen Sommer Eide was born in Oslo, Norway. Espen played music originally on percussion instruments, flutes and trumpet, before emphasising computer-generated sounds. He live ...

(born 1972), Norwegian composer and musician * Espen Eriksen, Norwegian jazz musician founder of Espen Eriksen Trio *

Espen Grjotheim Espen Grjotheim (born 20 September 1976) is a Norwegian singer and actor from Grimstad, living in Oslo. He has participated in a large number of stage, music and television productions, and has had leading roles in several of the largest musi ...

(born 1976), Norwegian singer and actor *

Espen Haavardsholm Espen Haavardsholm (born 10 February 1945, in Oslo) is a Norwegian novelist, poet, biographer and essayist. He made his literary debut in 1966 with the collection of short stories, ''Tidevann''. He was one of the central writers in the modernist ...

(born 1945), Norwegian novelist, poet, biographer and essayist *

Espen Klouman Høiner Espen Klouman Høiner (born 31 August 1981, in Nesodden, Akershus) is a Norwegian writer and actor. He graduated from Westerdals School of Communication and Norwegian National Academy of Theatre in Oslo. He first appeared in the teen drama ''B ...

(born 1981), Norwegian writer and actor *

Espen Beranek Holm Espen Beranek Holm (born 23 March 1960) is a Norwegian pop artist and comedian. Career Beranek is a Norwegian solo artist. His debut single ''Dra te' hælvete'' (1981), which was a great success, caused controversy when the song was banned by NR ...

(born 1960), Norwegian pop artist and comedian * Espen Lervaag (born 1977), Norwegian writer, comedian and actor *

Espen Lind Espen Lind (born 13 May 1971) is a Norwegian record producer, songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is one half of the production team Espionage, and together with his long time partner Amund Bjorklund he has written and/or produced ...

(born 1971), Norwegian record producer, songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist *

Espen Rud Espen Rud (born 29 January 1948 in Asker, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (drums), composer, and music arranger, and the son of Norwegian author Nils Johan Rud (1908–93). He is known from numerous recordings and in collaboration with Kari ...

(born 1948), Norwegian jazz musician, drummer, composer, and music arranger *

Espen Salberg Espen Salberg (born 28 March 1952 in Oslo, Norway) is a Norwegian ballroom dancer. See also * Dance in Norway *List of dancers An annotated list of popular/famous dancers. A * Ayo & Teo, duo of dancers and musicians from Ann Arbor, Michi ...

(born 1952), Norwegian ballroom dancer * Espen Sandberg (born 1971), Norwegian film director and advertising producer *

Espen Selvik Espen Selvik is a Norwegian conductor, composer, music reviewer in ', writer, advisor of the Reksten Foundation and director of Gulatinget. He is also honorary consul of the republic of Lithuania. Selvik has composed five symphonies and two orat ...

, Norwegian conductor, composer, music reviewer and writer *

Espen Skjønberg Espen Henrik Skjønberg (7 April 1924 – 26 August 2022) was a Norwegian actor of stage, screen, and television. Career Skjønberg made his first movie appearances as a child in the 1932 film ''En glad gutt'' and in the 1937 Norwegian classic ...

(1924–2022), Norwegian stage, screen and television actor *

Espen Søbye Pål Espen Søbye (born 9 July 1954) is a Norwegian author and literary critic. He has a Mag.art. degree in philosophy, and was formerly employed at Statistics Norway in Oslo. He was named literary critic of the year in 2006 by the Norwegian Criti ...

(born 1954), Norwegian author and literary critic * Espen Sørensen, Danish singer and musician * Espen Stenhammer, Norwegian singer, member of Norwegian pop rock band Di Derre *

Espen Stueland Espen Stueland (born 30 May 1970) is a Norwegian poet, novelist, literary critic and essayist. He hails from Porsgrunn, but lives in Vossevangen. Among his books are the novel ''Kjærlighet i tide og utide'' (2001), and the poetry collection ''Å ...

(born 1970), Norwegian poet, novelist, literary critic and essayist * Espen Wensaas (born 1986), Norwegian musician and multi-instrumentalistm mainly mandolin, mandolin-family instruments and guitar

Sports people

* Espen Agdestein (born 1965), Norwegian chess player * Espen Andersen (born 1961), Norwegian Nordic combined skier * Espen Andersen (skier) (born 1993), Norwegian Nordic combined skier * Espen Aune (born 1982), Norwegian professional strongman competitor and winner of the 2011 Norway's Strongest Man * Espen Baardsen (born 1977), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Harald Bjerke Espen Harald Bjerke (born 12 April 1980) is a Norwegian cross-country skiing (sport), cross-country skier who represents Lillehammer SK. He took part in his first junior World Championship in 1999 where he came 13th. He made his World Cup debut i ...

(born 1980), Norwegian cross-country skier *

Espen Bjervig Espen Bjervig (born June 30, 1972) is a former Norwegian cross-country skier who competed from 1995 to 2004. He won a silver medal in the 4 × 10 km relay at the 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Ramsau and earned his best individu ...

(born 1972), Norwegian cross-country skier *

Espen Borge Espen Borge (born 8 September 1961) is a retired Norwegian runner who specialized in 1500 metres and 3000 metres steeplechase. He represented IF Hellas and IK Tjalve. He finished seventh in 1500 m at the 1989 European Indoor Championships. In ad ...

(born 1961), Norwegian runner specializing in 1500 metres and 3000 metres steeplechase *

Espen Christensen Espen Heggli Christensen (born 17 June 1985) is a Norwegian handball player for OV Helsingborg and formerly the Norway men's national handball team, Norwegian national team. He competed at the 2016 European Men's Handball Championship. Honours ...

(born 1985), Norwegian handball player * Espen Haug (footballer, born 1970), Norwegian footballer and coach *

Espen Isaksen Espen Hugo Isaksen (born 16 January 1979) is a Norwegian football goalkeeper. He started his top-level career with Rosenborg BK, but did not make a single league appearance and moved to Byåsen IL, where he spent a season and then played for 2 ye ...

(born 1979), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Berg-Knutsen Espen Berg-Knutsen (born 2 October 1969 in Oslo) is a Norwegian sport shooter. He is also a three-time Olympian, two-time World champion, and world-record holder for the 300 m rifle three positions. Shooting career Since his sporting career beg ...

(born 1969), Norwegian sport shooter * Espen Knutsen (born 1972), Norwegian ice hockey player *

Espen Berntsen Espen Berntsen (born 12 May 1967) is a Norwegian football referee from Vang outside the Norwegian municipality of Hamar. He debuted as a referee in 1990, Tippeligaen-official in 1997 and served as a FIFA official from 2002 until 2012. He is no lo ...

(born 1967), Norwegian football referee * Espen Børufsen (born 1988), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Bredesen Espen Bredesen (born 2 February 1968) is a Norwegian former ski jumper. Career At World Cup level he won gold and silver medals at the 1994 Winter Olympics at Lillehammer. At the 1992 Winter Olympics, he performed badly, coming last in the nor ...

(born 1968), Norwegian ski jumper *

Espen Giljane Espen Giljane (born 28 February 1962 in Oslo) is a Norwegian ballet teacher and dancer. He was the Artistic Director of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet from 2002 until 2012. Giljane held the post of head of the ballet from August 2002 and ...

(born 1962), Norwegian ballet teacher and dancer *

Espen Hagh Espen Hagh (born 10 July 1974) is a retired Norwegian football midfielder. He is a son of Tore Hagh. He started his youth career in Mo IL and progressed into the first team. In 1995 he joined Kongsvinger. He was noted as having the team's highe ...

(born 1974), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Hægeland Espen Hægeland (born 27 September 1981) is a Norwegian footballer who played as a winger for Bryne, Mandalskameratene and Sandnes Ulf in the Norwegian First Division. He has later been player-coach at Hana and assistant player-coach at Mandals ...

(born 1981), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Lie Hansen Espen Lie Hansen (born 1 March 1989) is a Norwegian handball player who last played for Drammen HK and formerly the Norwegian national team. He competed at the 2016 European Men's Handball Championship The 2016 EHF European Men's Handball Cha ...

(born 1989), Norwegian handball player * Espen Hoff (born 1981), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Aarnes Hvammen Espen Aarnes Hvammen (; born 13 November 1988) is a Norwegian speed skater specialising in 500 and 1000 m races. Hvammen is a two-time Norwegian champion on the 500 m, and finished top-10 in two World Cup A world cup is a global sporting com ...

(born 1988), Norwegian speed skater *

Espen Johnsen Espen Johnsen (born 20 December 1979) is a retired Norwegian football goalkeeper. His brother Marius Johnsen is also a footballer, currently playing for Lillestrøm. Football career His career started in local club Vigør. After a few years ...

(born 1979), Norwegian footballer * Espen Kofstad (born 1987), Norwegian golfer *

Espen Lie Espen Lie (born January 3, 1984) is a Norwegian chess player who currently holds the title of International Master, and was the Norwegian Chess Champion for 2007. He is the younger brother of GM Kjetil A. Lie. Lie plays for the chess club in Por ...

(born 1984), Norwegian chess player *

Espen Lindqvist Espen Lindqvist is a Norwegian bridge player. Bridge accomplishments Awards * Fishbein Trophy (2) 2014, 2017 Wins * Buffett Cup (1) 2008 * North American Bridge Championships (7) **Jacoby Open Swiss Teams (3) 2013, 2015, 2016 ** Spingold (2) ...

, Norwegian bridge player *

Espen Lysdahl Espen Lysdahl (born 19 April 1990) is a Norwegian alpine ski racer. He represents Asker Skiklubb. He competed at the 2015 World Championships in Beaver Creek, USA, in the slalom To slalom is to zigzag between obstacles. It may refer to: Sp ...

(born 1990), Norwegian alpine ski racer *

Espen Minde Espen Minde (born 16 May 1983) is a Norwegian football midfielder who currently plays for Tromsdalen UIL. A former u-21 international for Norway, Minde started his senior career in Tromsø IL and featured with them in the Norwegian Premier L ...

(born 1983), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Nystuen Espen Nystuen (born 19 December 1981) is a former Norwegian footballer. Nystuen previously played for Kongsvinger. A part of the community since he was a child, he had never played for any other club until he was sold to Stabæk ahead of the 200 ...

(born 1981), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Olsen Espen Olsen (born 13 March 1979) is a retired Norwegian footballer. He was appointed manager of Strømmen IF ahead of the 2015 season. Ahead of the 2019 season he went on to HamKam as director of sports. He played for Lørenskog, HamKam, Stabæk, ...

(born 1979), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Bugge Pettersen Espen Bugge Pettersen (born 10 May 1980) is a Norwegian people, Norwegian former association football, footballer who played as a Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper. He was cap (sport), capped seven times for the Norway national footba ...

(born 1980), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Rian Espen Rian (born February 11, 1981) is a Norwegian Nordic combined skier who has competed since 2002. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, he finished fifth in the 4 x 5 km team and 35th in the individual large hill event. Rian's best finish at ...

(born 1981), Norwegian Nordic combined skier *

Espen Ruud Espen Ruud (born 26 February 1984) is a Norwegian football defender who plays for Odd. Club career He joined the Odd Grenland from local team Hei in 2003. Ruud established himself in the Odd squad by 2005. International career Ruud has 35 caps ...

(born 1984), Norwegian footballer * Espen Søgård (born 1979), Norwegian footballer *

Espen Stokkeland Espen Stokkeland (born 4 July 1968) is a Norwegian sailor and Olympic medalist. He received a bronze medal in the Soling class at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, together with Paul Davis and Herman Horn Johannessen. Stokkeland resides at ...

(born 1968), Norwegian sailor and Olympic medalist *

Espen Tveit Espen Tveit (; born 31 December 1991) is a Norwegian speed skater specialising in the 500, 1000 and 1500 distances. He represents Herkules IF in Skien, and began training with the KIA Speed Skating Academy in Inzell, Germany, in 2012. Tveit's best ...

(born 1991), Norwegian speed skater

Others

Espen Aarseth Espen J. Aarseth (born 1965) is a Norwegian academic specializing in the fields of video game studies and electronic literature. Aarseth completed his doctorate at the University of Bergen. He co-founded the Department of Humanistic Informatics at ...

(born 1965), Norwegian media scholar and game researcher *

Espen Berg Espen Berg (born 6 July 1981) is a Norwegian humanitarian. Espen is the founder and CEO of the United Youth Development Organization. Espen completed a BA (Hons) in International Business at Bournemouth University and an Msc in Development ...

(born 1981), Norwegian humanitarian *

Espen Barth Eide Espen Barth Eide (born 1 May 1964, in Oslo) is a Norwegian politician and political scientist. He is currently serving as the Minister of Climate and the Environment in Jonas Gahr Støre's government. He has been a been a member of the Norwegian ...

(born 1964), Norwegian politician and political scientist *

Espen Hammer Espen Hammer (born 1966) is Professor of Philosophy at Temple University. Focusing on modern European thought from Kant and Hegel to Adorno and Heidegger, Hammer’s research includes critical theory, Wittgenstein and ordinary language philosophy, ...

(born 1966), Norwegian philosopher * Espen Egil Hansen (born 1965), Norwegian newspaper editor and publisher *

Espen Johnsen (politician) Espen Johnsen (born 17 October 1976 in Lillehammer) is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Oppland in 2005. He had previously served as a deputy representative during the term 2001– ...

(born 1976), Norwegian politician *

Espen Rostrup Nakstad Espen Rostrup Nakstad (born 1975) is a Norwegian physician, lawyer and author from Skjetten who is the current assistant director of the Norwegian Directorate for Health and Social Affairs. Medical career Nakstad earned a Doctorate in medicine f ...

(born 1975), Norwegian physician

Middle name

B. Espen Eckbo B. Espen Eckbo is an American economist, currently the Tuck Centennial Professor at Dartmouth College Dartmouth College (; ) is a private research university in Hanover, New Hampshire. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, it is one of th ...

, American economist and professor * Jon Espen Lohne (born 1964), Norwegian businessperson in the media sector *

Per Espen Stoknes Per Espen Stoknes (born 9 March 1967) is a Norwegian psychologist and politician for the Green Party. He is well known for his TED talk explaining the psychology of economic choices for climate change. Stoknes advocates for climate communication ...

(born 1967), Norwegian psychologist and politician *

Trond Espen Seim Trond Espen Seim (born 4 October 1971) is a Norwegian actor. He has played private detective Varg Veum in a series of films based on the eponymous series of novels by Gunnar Staalesen. On 18 March 2010, Seim was cast in the film '' The Thing'', w ...

(born 1971), Norwegian actor * Carl Espen Thorbjørnsen (born 1982), better known as simply Carl Espen, Norwegian singer and songwriter, who represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 *

Jarl Espen Ygranes Jarl Espen Ygranes (born January 23, 1979) is a former Norwegian professional ice hockey player. Ygranes was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the ninth round (228th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft but never played in the NHL and remained ...

(born 1979), Norwegian ice hockey player

Surname

Carl Espen Carl Espen Thorbjørnsen (born 15 July 1982), better known as simply Carl Espen, is a Norwegian singer and songwriter, who represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. He performed his song " Silent Storm". Music career 2014–presen ...

(born 1982), Norwegian singer and songwriter * Vincent Espen (born 1986), French badminton player

References

{{given name Norwegian masculine given names Masculine given names