The nameSven

Sven is a classic Scandinavian name, short and strong.

Meaning

Sven comes from the Old Norse sveinn, "boy, young man".

Origin

Scandinavian.

History

Sweyn Forkbeard, a Danish Sven, became king of England in 1013. In the United States Sven reached 1113th place in 1967.

Famous people named Sven

Popularity of the name Sven

Sven in the United States

2595thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2015peak year (58 births)
2,484babies named Sven in the United States since 1880
02958 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Sven was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 417 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Sven. Its rise began around 1911, and it peaked in 2015. Half of all babies named Sven in the United States were born before 1988, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 50 births a year.

Sven in France

1421stmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures
2014peak year (45 births)
1,460babies named Sven in France since 1900
02345 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Sven was most popular in France in the 2010s, with 365 births over the decade, 25% of all recorded babies named Sven. Its rise began around 1953, and it peaked in 2014. Half of all babies named Sven in France were born before 2004. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 25 births a year on average, against 31 in the five years before.

Sven in Belgium

1996peak year (164 births)
1,140babies named Sven in Belgium since 1995
082164 1995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Sven in Switzerland

335thmost popular boys' name in Switzerland in 2025
2000peak year (214 births)
2,408babies named Sven in Switzerland since 2000
0107214 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Sven in Austria

659thmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025
2000peak year (43 births)
836babies named Sven in Austria since 1984
02243 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Sven in Norway

275thmost popular boys' name in Norway in 2025
1968peak year (116 births)
3,981babies named Sven in Norway since 1945
058116 1960198020002020
Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Sven

Names from the same generation as Sven, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Sven? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Sven with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Sven side by side with the name of your choice.

Sven in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sven mean?

Sven comes from the Old Norse sveinn, "boy, young man".

What is the origin of the name Sven?

Scandinavian.

Is Sven a girl's or a boy's name?

Sven is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Sven?

In 2024, Sven was the 2595th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 51 births.

What are the variants of the name Sven?

Variants and related names of Sven include Svend.

What are good sibling names for Sven?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Aziza, Camelia, Bracha and Safia for a sister, Bogdan, Lemuel, Adem and Salim for a brother.

Who are famous people named Sven?

Sven-Göran Eriksson, football manager.