Torsten is of German origin and means 'strong thunder'. It is composed of two Old High German elements: 'thorst' meaning 'thorn bush' and '-stain', which denotes a stone. This name has been traditionally popular in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Sweden where it has often ranked among the top 100 names for boys. In English-speaking countries, Torsten is less common but still used, often as an alternative to more traditional names like Thomas or Theodore. The name Torsten is associated with strength and resilience due to its meaning, and it has been borne by notable historical figures such as Torsten Wiesel, a Swedish-American Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine.
"The name Torsten saw a significant increase in popularity from the year 2000 onwards, with over 20 births each year between 2005 and 2020. The most popular years recently were 2014 and 2015 with 31 births each."