Asta, of Old Norse origin, is a unisex name derived from the word 'asta', meaning 'divine' or 'goddess'. It was originally used as both a male and female name in Norway, but today it is more commonly associated with females. In the 20th century, Asta gained international recognition through the Danish actress Asta Nielsen, often referred to as the first movie star.
The name Asta has seen varying popularity over the years, with several peaks and valleys in its usage. The highest number of births recorded in a single year was 10, which occurred in both 1955 and 2006. There were notable gaps in usage between 1927 and 1951, as well as between 1981 and 1990. However, the name has maintained a consistent presence since the late 1990s, with at least one birth recorded every year from 1990 onwards. Overall, there have been 183 births registered under the name Asta since 1914.