Thorsten (Thorstein, Torstein, Torsten) is a Scandinavian

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

. The Old Norse name was ''Þórsteinn''. It is a compound of the theonym ''Þór'' ('' Thor'') and ''steinn'' "stone", which became ''Thor'' and ''sten'' in

Old Danish The Danish language developed during the Middle Ages out of Old East Norse, the common predecessor of Danish and Swedish. It was a late form of common Old Norse. The Danish philologist Johannes Brøndum-Nielsen divided the history of Danish into ...

and

Old Swedish Old Swedish (Swedish language, Modern Swedish: ) is the name for two distinct stages of the Swedish language that were spoken in the Middle Ages: Early Old Swedish (), spoken from about 1225 until about 1375, and Late Old Swedish (), spoken fro ...

. The name is one of a group of Old Norse names containing the theonym ''Thor'', besides other such as ''Þórarin, Þórhall, Þórkell, Þórfinnr, Þórvald, Þórvarðr, Þórolf'', most of which, however, do not survive as modern names given with any frequency. The name is attested in medieval Iceland, e.g. Þorsteinn rauður Ólafsson (c. 850 – 880), Þōrsteinn Eirīkssonr (late 10th century), and in literature such as ''

Draumr Þorsteins Síðu-Hallssonar ''Draumr Þorsteins Síðu-Hallssonar'' (''The Dream of Þorsteinn Son of Síðu-Hallr'') is a very short ''þáttr'' which tells how Torstein Side-Hallsson (''Þorsteins Síðu-Hallssonar'') was visited in dreams by three women who warned him that ...

''. The Old English equivalent of the Scandinavian and Norman name is '' Thurstan'', attested after the

Norman conquest of England The Norman Conquest (or the Conquest) was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army made up of thousands of Normans, Norman, Duchy of Brittany, Breton, County of Flanders, Flemish, and Kingdom of France, French troops, ...

in the 11th century as the name of a medieval archbishop of York (died 1140), of an abbot of Pershore (1080s) and of an

abbot of Glastonbury __NOTOC__ The Abbot of Glastonbury was the head (or abbot) of Anglo-Saxon and eventually Benedictine house of Glastonbury Abbey at Glastonbury in Somerset, England. The following is a list of abbots of Glastonbury: Abbots See also * Abbot's Ki ...

(1090s). The English surname Thurston is presumably derived from this given name. The English given name Dustin is derived from a surname which in origin may have been derived in turn from the Scandinavian given name. As a modern given name, Thorsten and Torsten also see some popularity in the English-speaking world and in German-speaking Europe.

Modern people with this name

Pre-World War I births

Thorsten Guttormsen Fretheim Thorstein Guttormsen Fretheim (25 January 1808 – 30 May 1874) was a Norwegian politician. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1842, 1848, 1860, 1863, 1871, 1872, and 1873, representing the rural constituency of ''Nordre Bergenhus Amt'' ...

(born 1808), Norwegian politician *

Thorsten Nordenfelt Thorsten Nordenfelt (1 March 1842 – 8 February 1920), was a Swedish inventor and industrialist. Career Nordenfelt was born in Örby outside Kinna, Sweden, the son of a colonel. The surname was and is often spelled Nordenfeldt, though Thorsten ...

(1842–1920), Swedish inventor and industrialist * Thorstein Veblen (1857–1929), Norwegian-American sociologist and economist *

Torsten Nothin Torsten Karl Viktor Nothin (13 February 1884 – 1 March 1972) was a Swedish official and social democratic politician. He was Minister for Justice from 1924 to 1926 and Governor of Stockholm from 1933 to 1949. Career Nothin was born in Voxtorp ...

(1884–1972), Swedish politician *

Thorstein John Ohnstad Fretheim Thorstein John Ohnstad Fretheim (10 May 1886 – 29 June 1971) was a Norwegian acting councillor of state in the NS government of Vidkun Quisling Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Jonssøn Quisling (, ; 18 July 1887 – 24 October 1945) was a Norweg ...

(1886–1971), Norwegian politician *

Thorsten Grönfors Thorsten (Thorstein, Torstein, Torsten) is a Scandinavian given name. The Old Norse name was ''Þórsteinn''. It is a compound of the theonym ''Þór'' (''Thor'') and ''steinn'' "stone", which became ''Thor'' and ''sten'' in Old Danish and Old Swed ...

(1888–1968), Swedish sailor and tennis player *

Thorstein Johansen Thorstein Arthur Johansen (7 January 1888 – 2 August 1963) was a Norwegian rifle shooter who competed in the early 20th century. He participated in shooting at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: ...

(1888–1963), Norwegian rifle shooter *

Torsten Tegnér Torsten Tegnér (6 December 1888 – 10 June 1977) was a Swedish athlete and journalist, son of composer Alice Tegnér. He was owner of the sports magazine ''Idrottsbladet ''Idrottsbladet'' ( sv, The Sports Gazette) was a sports magazine whic ...

(1888–1977), Swedish athlete and journalist *

Torstein Kvamme Torstein Kvamme (14 March 1893 – 26 June 1985) was a Norwegian politician for the Christian Democratic Party. He was born in Vossestrand. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Hordaland in 1954, and was re-elected on two occasions ...

(1893–1985), Norwegian politician for the Christian Democratic Party * Thorsten Sellin (1896–1994), American sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania, a penologist and scientific criminologist *

Torstein Børte Torstein Børte (6 August 1899 – 7 April 1985) was a Norwegian politician for the Liberal Party. He served as a deputy representative to the Norwegian Parliament from Telemark Telemark is a traditional region, a former county, and a cu ...

(1899–1985), Norwegian politician for the Liberal Party *

Torstein Selvik Torstein Selvik (8 October 1900 – 10 September 1983) was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was born in Haus. Despite being almost 40 years old at the time, Selvik fought in the 1940 Norwegian Campaign with the 4th Brigade i ...

(1900–1983), Norwegian politician for the Labour Party * Thorsten Svensson (1901–1954), Swedish football (soccer) player *

Torstein Olav Kuvaas Torstein Olav Kuvaas (1 December 1908 – 23 November 1996) was a Norwegian politician for the Liberal Party. He served as a deputy representative to the Norwegian Parliament from Nordland Nordland (; smj, Nordlánnda, sma, Nordlaante ...

(1908–1996), Norwegian politician for the Liberal Party *

Thorstein Treholt Thorstein Treholt (13 April 1911 – 17 March 1993) was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was the father of convicted Norwegian spy Arne Treholt. He was born in Skoger. An agronomist by education, Treholt was state secretar ...

(1911–1993), Norwegian politician

1914–1945 births

Thorsten Andersson Karl Thorsten Gunnar Andersson (29 February 1923 – 4 April 2018) was a Swedish toponymist, and a former Professor of Linguistics at Uppsala University. Biography Karl Thorsten Gunnar Andersson was born in Ödeshög Municipality, Sweden on 29 F ...

(1923–2018), Swedish toponymist * Torstein Eckhoff (1916–1993), Norwegian civil servant, professor of law at the University of Oslo *

Torsten Engberg Lieutenant General Torsten Reinhold Engberg (28May 1934 – 7February 2018) was a senior Swedish Coastal Artillery officer. Engberg was Chief of the Naval Staff from 1984 to 1987 and Chief of the Defence Staff from 1987 to 1991 as well ...

(1934–2018), Swedish Coastal Artillery lieutenant general *

Þorsteinn Gylfason Þorsteinn Gylfason (12 August 1942 – 16 August 2005) was an Icelandic philosopher, translator, musician and poet. Þorsteinn distinguished himself in Icelandic public life with his writings in newspapers, journals and publications. His li ...

(1942–2005), Icelandic intellectual *

Torstein Hansen Torstein Sverre Hansen (27 October 1943 – 12 May 2018)Torsten Lindh Rear Admiral Erik Torsten Lindh (10 August 1941 – 7 August 2020) was a Swedish Navy officer. He was Inspector General of the Navy from 1998 to 2001. Early life Lindh was born on 10 August 1941 in Gothenburg, Sweden, the son of managing dir ...

(1941–2020), Swedish Navy rear admiral *

Torstein Moland Torstein Moland (born 4 November 1945) is a Norwegian economist. From 1986 to 1989, during the second cabinet Brundtland, Moland was a state secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. He was then CEO of Norske Skog from 1990 to 1993, and w ...

(born 1945), Norwegian economist *

Torstein Raaby Torstein Pettersen Raaby (6 October 1918 – 23 March 1964) was a Norwegian telegrapher, resistance fighter and explorer. He is known as a crew member on the Kon-Tiki expedition. Biography Raaby was born in the village of Dverberg on the island ...

(1919–1964), Norwegian telegrapher, resistance fighter and explorer *

Torstein Slungård Torstein Slungård (5 September 1931 – 14 August 2009) was a Norwegian politician from the Liberal Party. He was appointed State Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Labour from 1965 to August 1969 and October 1969 to 1971, ...

(born 1931), Norwegian politician from the Liberal Party *

Torstein Tynning Torstein Tynning (4 June 1932 – 18 November 2000) was a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Telemark in 1965, and was re-elected on four occasions. He had previously served in the ...

(1932–2000), Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party Post-World War II births *

Torstein Dahle Torstein Dahle (born 20 February 1947) is a Norwegian politician and economist. He works at the Bergen University College and represents Red Party in the city council of Bergen. Dahle was born in Oslo. At age 14, Dahle joined Lambertseter Yout ...

(born 1947), Norwegian politician and economist *

Torstein Rudihagen Torstein Rudihagen (born 14 August 1952 in Sør-Fron) is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. In his early career, he worked as a teacher. He began his political career in the municipality council of Sør-Fron, to which he was elected in ...

(born 1952), Norwegian politician for the Labour Party *

Torstein Flakne Torstein Flakne (born December 17, 1960 in Trondheim, Norway) is a Norwegian singer and guitarist, best known for being the founder of the Norwegian rock band Stage Dolls. He is from Melhus and played in the band The Kids (Norwegian band), The Ki ...

(born 1960), the founder of the Norwegian band Stage Dolls *

Thorsten Flinck Thorsten Flinck (born 17 April 1961 in Solna, Sweden), is a Swedish actor, director, and musician. He is known best for playing psychopaths and villains, and also for his outrageous personality both on stage and in real life. Between 1986 and 20 ...

(born 1961), Swedish musician *

Torsten Gütschow Torsten Gütschow (born 28 July 1962) is a German football manager and former player who played as a striker. He is most associated with Dynamo Dresden, with whom he had two successful spells, playing top level football in East Germany and after ...

(born 1962), German football striker *

Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen (born 11 January 1964, in Oslo) is a Norwegian contemporary composer. Life Aagaard-Nilsen grew up in Kabelvåg on Lofoten in northern Norway. From 1986 to 1990 he studied at the Bergen Conservatory of Music (now known ...

(born 1964), Norwegian composer *

Torsten Bréchôt Torsten Bréchôt (né Oehmigen, born 11 September 1964 in Schwerin, Bezirk Schwerin) is a male retired judoka from Germany, who competed for East Germany at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul S ...

(born 1964), East German judoka *

Torsten Gejl Torsten Gejl (born 30 January 1964, in Aarhus) is a Danish politician, who is a member of the Folketing for The Alternative (Denmark), The Alternative political party. He was elected into parliament at the 2015 Danish general election. He is curre ...

(born 1964), Danish politician * Thorsten Kaye (born 1966), American-based actor *

Thorsten Fink Thorsten Fink (born 29 October 1967) is a German football coach and a former footballer, currently works as manager of Riga FC. Career Fink began his career with Borussia Dortmund's reserve squad before moving to SG Wattenscheid 09, where he hel ...

(born 1967), German football coach and former player * Thorsten Legat (born 1968), German football coach and a retired player *

Thorsten Dauth Thorsten Dauth (born March 11, 1968 in Bad Nauheim, Hessen) is a retired male decathlete from Germany. He set his personal best score (8164 points) in the men's decathlon on May 28, 1995 at the Hypo-Meeting in Götzis Götzis is a town in the we ...

(born 1968), German decathlete * Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel (born 1969), German politician of the SPD *

Torsten Amft Torsten Amft (born 14 January 1971) is a German fashion designer and Creative Director of the Amft fashion labels. Career Amft studied fashion design in Zürich, Switzerland. In 2000, Amft won the "Lexton" fashion award in New York City. Befor ...

(born 1971), German fashion designer *

Thorsten Schmugge Thorsten Schmugge (born 13 October 1971) is a German former professional footballer who played as a forward. Career Schmugge made one appearance for Scottish club Hibernian, in a 2–0 win against Aberdeen on 21 September 1996. Schmugge, who s ...

(born 1971), German footballer *

Torsten Loibl is the Head coach of the Japan national 3x3 teams. On October 6, 2019, he celebrated the greater success of his career by winning the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup, 3x3 U23 World Championship, the Japan's first-ever World championship, world titl ...

(born 1972), German basketball coach * Torsten Abel (born 1974), German triathlete * Thorsten Schmitt (born 1975), German Nordic combined skier *

Thorsten Leibenath Thorsten Leibenath (born 7 April 1975) is a German former basketball coach and basketball player. He is the Sports Director of ratiopharm Ulm in the German Basketball Bundesliga. Leibenath coached the Ulm basketball team for eight years, spanning ...

(born 1975), German basketball coach and basketball player *

Thorsten Wittek Thorsten Wittek (born 31 December 1976 in Berlin) is a German footballer who last played for CS Grevenmacher. Career He made his debut on the professional league level in the Bundesliga for Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 20 October 2001 when he came ...

(born 1976), German football player * Torsten Frings (born 1976), German football midfielder *

Thorstein Helstad Thorstein Helstad (born 28 April 1977) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a forward. Career Helstad was born in Hamar, and started his career in his local club FL Fart where he at age 16 scored two goals against Løt ...

(born 1977), Norwegian footballer *

Torstein Lofthus Torstein Lofthus (born 10 March 1977) is a Norwegian drummer and composer who has been a member of the bands Shining, Elephant9, the Mathias Eick Band, D'Sound, and Ebersson/Zanussi/Lofthus. He is married to Hege Lofthus. Career Lofthus has ...

(born 1977), Norwegian drummer * Thorsten Quaeschning, German musician of the band Tangerine Dream *

Thorsten Nehrbauer Thorsten Nehrbauer (born 12 January 1978 in Bonn The federal city of Bonn ( lat, Bonna) is a city on the banks of the Rhine in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a population of over 300,000. About south-southeast of Cologn ...

(born 1978), German footballer *

Thorsten Hohmann Thorsten Hohmann (born 14 July 1979 in Fulda, West Germany) is a German professional pool player, nicknamed "the Hitman." He is a three-time world champion, winning the WPA World Nine-ball Championship in 2003, and 2013, and winning the WPA Worl ...

(born 1979), German pool player * Thorsten Becker (born 1980), German footballer *

Thorsten Burkhardt Thorsten Burkhardt (born 21 May 1981 in Bonn) is a German footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, ...

(born 1981), German football player *

Thorsten Engelmann Thorsten Engelmann (born 20 July 1981 in East Berlin, East Germany) is a German rower. Engelmann started rowing at age 9 because his father was the president of a rowing club in Berlin. He continued training while earning his pre-diploma in econom ...

(born 1981), German rower *

Thorsten Stuckmann Thorsten Stuckmann (born 17 March 1981) is a German former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Career Germany Stuckmann played for German clubs SC Preußen Münster, Eintracht Braunschweig and Alemannia Aachen. Preston North End ...

(born 1981), German football player *

Thorsten Barg Thorsten Barg (born 25 August 1986 in Herrenberg) is a German football player, who currently is playing for TSG Wörsdorf as a playing-coach. His brother is Benjamin Barg. Career He made his debut on the professional league level in the 2. Bund ...

(born 1986), German football player * Thorsten Kirschbaum (born 1987), German footballer * Torstein Horgmo (born 1987), Norwegian pro snowboarder *

Torstein Andersen Aase Torstein Andersen Aase (born 24 October 1991) is a Norwegian football striker who plays for Lyn . Aase was born in Oslo, the son of Thor Einar Andersen and Kristin Aase. He played youth football in Nordstrand IF, and made his senior team debu ...

(born 1991), Norwegian football striker * Thorsten Owusu Gyimah (born 2003), Ghanaian drill rapper known as Yaw Tog

References

{{given name Scandinavian masculine given names no:Thorsten nn:Thorsten