Carsten is a Scandinavian name of German origin, derived from the German word 'Karren', meaning 'cart'. It was traditionally given to boys born into families involved in cart-making or those who owned a cart. The name gained popularity in Scandinavia during the Middle Ages, particularly in Denmark and Norway. In its native Germany, Carsten is considered an old-fashioned name but remains in use, often among families with Scandinavian heritage. Today, Carsten continues to be a popular choice among parents in Scandinavia, while it is less common elsewhere. The name does not have any specific pronunciation variations across languages, retaining its original sound of /ˈkɑːstən/ in most cases. It has no associated seasonal trends or patron saints' days.
The name Carsten experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century, with a notable surge in recent decades. From the early to mid-1900s, there were typically fewer than 10 births per year, reaching as low as five births annually between 1953 and 1963. However, starting around 1964, the number of Carsten births began to rise steadily, peaking at 129 in 2011. Since then, the popularity has fluctuated but remained relatively high, with 59 births recorded in both 2018 and 2019, and a decline to 38 births in 2020, followed by 42 in 2022 and 33 in 2023. In total, there have been 2,319 Carsten births recorded over the past century.