Thorsten (Thorstein, Torstein, Torsten) is a

Scandinavia Scandinavia; Sámi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion#Europe, subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, ...

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 Old Norse, Old Nordic, or Old Scandinavian, is a stage of development of North Germanic languages, North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and t ...

name was ''Þórsteinn''. It is a compound of the

theonym A theonym (from Greek ''theos'' (Θεός), "god"'','' attached to ''onoma'' (ὄνομα), "name") is the proper name of a deity. Theonymy, the study of divine proper names, is a branch of onomastics (the study of the etymology, history, and u ...

''Þór'' (''

Thor Thor (; from non, Þórr ) is a prominent god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding æsir, god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred trees and groves in Germanic paganism and mythology, sacred groves ...

'') and ''steinn'' "stone", which became ''Thor'' and ''sten'' in Old Danish 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''. The Old English equivalent of the Scandinavian and Norman name is ''

Thurstan :''This page is about Thurstan of Bayeux (1070 – 1140) who became Archbishop of York. Thurstan of Caen became the first Norman Abbot of Glastonbury in circa 1077.'' Thurstan or Turstin of Bayeux ( – 6 February 1140) was a medie ...

'', 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 Pershore is a market town in the Wychavon district in Worcestershire, England, on the banks of the River Avon. The town is part of the West Worcestershire parliamentary constituency. At the 2011 census, the population was 7,125. The town is ...

(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 Speakers of English are also known as Anglophones, and the countries where English is natively spoken by the majority of the population are termed the '' Anglosphere''. Over two billion people speak English , making English the largest languag ...

and in

German-speaking Europe This article details the geographical distribution of speakers of the German language, regardless of the legislative status within the countries where it is spoken. In addition to the German-speaking area (german: Deutscher Sprachraum) in 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 Thorstein Bunde Veblen (July 30, 1857 – August 3, 1929) was a Norwegian-American economist and sociologist who, during his lifetime, emerged as a well-known critic of capitalism. In his best-known book, ''The Theory of the Leisure Class'' ...

(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 Voxtor ...

(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 Sw ...

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

Thorstein Johansen Thorstein Arthur Johansen (7 January 1888 – 2 August 1963) was a Norwegian rifle shooter Shooting is the act or process of discharging a projectile from a ranged weapon (such as a gun, bow, crossbow, slingshot, or blowpipe). Even t ...

(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 Alice Charlotta Tegnér (; 12 March 1864 – 26 May 1943; Sandström) was a Swedish music teacher, poet and composer. She ...

(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 Johan Thorsten Sellin (26 October 1896 – 17 September 1994) was a Swedish American sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania, a penologist and one of the pioneers of scientific criminology. Biography Sellin was born in Örnsköldsvik in ...

(1896–1994), American sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania, a penologist and scientific criminologist * Torstein Børte (1899–1985), Norwegian politician for the Liberal Party * Torstein Selvik (1900–1983), Norwegian politician for the Labour Party *

Thorsten Svensson Thorsten Svensson (October 8, 1901 – June 29, 1954) was a Swedish football player who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics The 1924 Summer Olympics (french: Jeux olympiques d'été de 1924), officially the Games of the VIII Olympiad (fr ...

(1901–1954), Swedish football (soccer) player * Torstein Olav Kuvaas (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 (1923–2018), Swedish toponymist *

Torstein Eckhoff Torstein Einang Eckhoff (5 June 1916 – 17 April 1993) was a Norwegian civil servant and professor of law at the University of Oslo. Personal life He was born in Vestre Slidre as the son of shipmaster Trygve Eckhoff (1884–1957) and his wi ...

(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 (born 1943), Norwegian handball player *

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 ...

(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 (1932–2000), Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party Post-World War II births * Torstein Dahle (born 1947), Norwegian politician and economist * Torstein Rudihagen (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 2 ...

(born 1961), Swedish musician * Torsten Gütschow (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 (born 1964), East German judoka * Torsten Gejl (born 1964), Danish politician *

Thorsten Kaye Thorsten Kaye (born Thorsten Ernst Kieselbach, 22 February 1966) is a German-British actor. His best known roles include Patrick Thornhart on ''One Life to Live'', Dr. Ian Thornhart on ''Port Charles'', Zach Slater on ''All My Children'' and ...

(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 Thorsten Legat (born 7 November 1968) is a German reality television personality and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He competed in the Bundesliga during his 15-year senior career, amassing totals of 243 games and 15 g ...

(born 1968), German football coach and a retired player * Thorsten Dauth (born 1968), German decathlete *

Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel (' Schäfer; born 1 October 1969) is a former German politician of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) who has been serving as member of the management board of GIZ since 2019. Schäfer-Gümbel notably was the leader of ...

(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 (born 1971), German footballer * Torsten Loibl (born 1972), German basketball coach *

Torsten Abel Torsten Abel (born 2 January 1974 in West Berlin) is a former German triathlete who later competed for the United States. Athletic career Triathlon since 1991 Abel was born in Charlottenburg, Berlin, grew up in Weiler-Simmerberg and contested ...

(born 1974), German triathlete *

Thorsten Schmitt Thorsten Schmitt (born September 20, 1975 in Villingen-Schwenningen, Baden-Württemberg) is a German nordic combined skier who has been competing since 1998. He won a silver medal in the 4 x 5 km team event at the 2003 FIS Nordic World ...

(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 Association football, 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 Octo ...

(born 1976), German football player *

Torsten Frings Torsten Klaus Frings (born 22 November 1976) is a German former footballer and manager, who last managed SV Meppen. A former midfielder, throughout his career he played for several German clubs, namely Alemannia Aachen, Werder Bremen, Borussia D ...

(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 Thorsten Quaeschning (born 23 February 1977) is a German musician. He is the bandleader of the electronic music group Tangerine Dream which he joined in 2005. He performs synthesizers, vocals, guitar and drums. Early life Quaeschning was born ...

, 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 Thorsten Becker (born 13 May 1980) is a German Association football, footballer, who in 1992 moved from Fortuna Schlangen to SC Paderborn 07, SC Paderborn and has played in the club's first-team squad from 2001 to 2009. He helped Paderborn gain ...

(born 1980), German footballer * Thorsten Burkhardt (born 1981), German football player * Thorsten Engelmann (born 1981), German rower * Thorsten Stuckmann (born 1981), German football player * Thorsten Barg (born 1986), German football player *

Thorsten Kirschbaum Thorsten Kirschbaum (born 20 April 1987) is a German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for 2. Bundesliga club SSV Jahn Regensburg. Club career Kirschbaum was a member of the team of 1899 Hoffenheim that won promotion to the 2. B ...

(born 1987), German footballer *

Torstein Horgmo Torstein Horgmo (born 18 February 1987) is a Norwegian professional snowboarder. Horgmo has competed, and medalled in, a variety of slopestyle and big air snowboarding competitions. He rides regular stance. Personal Horgmo grew up in Trondheim ...

(born 1987), Norwegian pro snowboarder * Torstein Andersen Aase (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