Kerstin is a feminine given name of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse name Kjartan, which consists of the elements "kjar" meaning "heart" and "tan" meaning "thorn". Therefore, Kerstin can be interpreted as "strong-hearted".
The name Kerstin has been popular in Sweden for centuries and it was also common among the Swedish nobility during the Middle Ages. It is still a widely used name in Scandinavia today.
One of the most famous historical figures named Kerstin was Kersten Frilofsdotter, who lived in the 14th century and was a member of the Swedish nobility. She is known for her role in the conflict between Sweden and Norway during that time.
In popular culture, Kerstin has been used as a character name in several works, including the Swedish television series "Wallander" and the Norwegian novel "Kerstin's Story" by Herbjørg Wassmo.
Overall, Kerstin is a strong and historic Scandinavian feminine given name with a meaning that conveys inner strength.
The name Kerstein appears to have experienced some popularity in the United States during the late twentieth century, with a total of ten babies given this name between 1989 and 1994. The peak years for this name seemed to be 1989 and 1994, each year seeing five births. Despite its brief appearance on the baby naming scene, Kerstein remains a unique choice for parents seeking an uncommon moniker for their child. It's always fascinating to observe the fluctuations in naming trends over time, as seen in these statistics about the name Kerstein.