Larsen is a Scandinavian surname of Norwegian origin. It is derived from the old Norse word 'hlaðr', which means 'shield'. The name was originally given to people who were thought to resemble a shield in some way, perhaps due to their appearance or personality.
The surname Larsen has a long history in Scandinavia and can be traced back to the Viking Age. It is believed that the first people to bear the name lived in Norway during this period, around the 9th century AD. Over time, the name spread throughout Scandinavia and was also adopted by families who immigrated to other parts of Europe and beyond.
Today, Larsen is a common surname not only in Norway but also in Denmark, Sweden, and other Scandinavian countries. It is also found in places such as Germany, the Netherlands, and even in North America, where many people of Norwegian descent settled during the 19th century.
In terms of meaning, the name Larsen does not have any specific implications beyond its original connection to shields. However, it has a strong association with Scandinavian culture and history, which may give it additional significance for some families who bear the name.
The name Larsen has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 182 babies given this name since 1996.
The highest number of births was recorded in 2022 and 2023, with each year seeing 12 newborn girls named Larsen. This is quite an increase from previous years, showing that the name has gained some popularity recently.
Interestingly, there were two years where the number of Larsen births peaked at 13 – 2008 and 2022 – indicating a potential trend or preference for this name among parents every few years.
However, Larsen is not consistently popular throughout the years. There have been several years with only a handful of births, such as 1996 (6 births), 2007 (5 births), and 2021 (also 5 births). Additionally, there are gaps in the data for certain years between 1996 and 2023.
In summary, while Larsen has not been a top choice among parents year after year since 1996, it has seen fluctuations in popularity. The most recent data shows that Larsen is experiencing a renewed interest, with high numbers of births recorded in the past couple of years.