b babynamesuggestion
Menu

Your Shortlist

0 names saved

Tristen

Quick answerThe name Tristen is a variant of Tristan, derived from the Celtic root *trist-* meaning "sad" or "sorrowful," often interpreted as "sorrowful one" or "sorrowful." It is primarily used in English-speaking cultures and Christian contexts, notably popularized by the medieval Arthurian legend of Tristan and Iseult, a…

English (Modern) · Boy · 2 syllables

T
Top 5,000

Popularity & facts

Relative popularity index, 2010–2025
GenderBoy
US Rank#1,512
TrendFalling ↓
Peak year1996
Syllables2
OriginEnglish (Modern)
LanguageEnglish (Modern)
CultureEnglish (Modern)
ReligionChristianity
Letters7
Numerology33 Chaldean 6
Global rank#611

Popularity over time

Popularity index
Hover the line to see any year. 100 = most popular.

Historical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data

About the name Tristen

The name Tristen is a variant of Tristan, derived from the Celtic root *trist-* meaning "sad" or "sorrowful," often interpreted as "sorrowful one" or "sorrowful." It is primarily used in English-speaking cultures and Christian contexts, notably popularized by the medieval Arthurian legend of Tristan and Iseult, a tragic romance of Celtic origin.

Cross-referenced with Behind the Name. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.

Etymology

The name Tristen is a variant of Tristan, derived from the Celtic root *trist-* meaning "sad" or "sorrowful," often interpreted as "sorrowful one" or "sorrowful." It is primarily used in English-speaking cultures and Christian contexts, notably popularized by the medieval Arthurian legend of Tristan and Iseult, a tragic romance of Celtic origin.

Tristen currently ranks #1,512 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1996.

Variants & nicknames

Contribute to this name

Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.

Login to contribute

We use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.

AdvertisementAd — responsive (after data block)

Sibling name ideas

English (Modern) names that sit beautifully beside Tristen

Similar names you might like

Names starting with T

Names that sound like Tristen

Phonetic match, not just spelling
Tristan
Unisex English

"The name Tristan derives from the Latin root "tristis," meaning "sad" or "sorrowful," and entered European usage through the Arthurian…"

Global rank #46 View name
Torstein
Boy Norwegian

"Torstein is a Scandinavian name combining the Old Norse elements "Þórr" (the thunder god Thor) and "steinn" (stone), meaning "Thor's…"

Global rank #248 View name
Tristin
Unisex English (Modern)

"Tristin is a modern English spelling variant of Tristan, derived from the Latin root "tristis," meaning "sad" or "sorrowful," though…"

Global rank #387 View name
Torsti
Boy Finnish

"Torsti is a Finnish diminutive form of Torsten, which derives from the Old Norse name Þórsteinn, composed of "Þórr" (the…"

Global rank #462 View name
Trystan
Unisex Welsh

"Trystan means "tumult" or "sorrowful" and derives from the Latin root "tristis" (sad) or possibly the Celtic "tryst" (tumult)."

Global rank #518 View name
Thorstein
Boy Norwegian

"Thorstein means "Thor's stone" or "stone of Thor," combining the Old Norse elements "Thor" (the thunder god) and "steinn" (stone)."

Global rank #558 View name
Tristian
Unisex Celtic

"The name 'Tristian' is a variant of 'Tristan', derived from the Celtic root *trist-* meaning "sorrowful" or "sad," from the…"

Global rank #629 View name
Torsten
Boy Swedish

"Torsten means "Thor's stone" or "Thor's thunder," deriving from the Old Norse elements *Þórr* (the god Thor) and *steinn* (stone)."

Global rank #705 View name
Trishtha
Girl Sanskrit

"Trishtha is a Sanskrit-derived name meaning "satisfied" or "content," rooted in the Sanskrit word "tṛṣ" (thirst) with the suffix "-tha"…"

Global rank #1,181 View name
Thorsten
Boy Old Norse

"Thorsten derives from the Old Norse name Þórsteinn, combining "Þórr" (Thor, the Norse god of thunder) with "steinn" (stone), meaning…"

Global rank #1,382 View name
Tarja-Tuulikki
Girl Finnish

"Tarja-Tuulikki is a Finnish compound name where Tarja derives from the Old Norse name Torgny (meaning "Thor's battle") and Tuulikki…"

Global rank #1,873 View name
Triston
Unisex Latin

"Triston is a variant spelling of Tristan, derived from the Latin root "tristis" meaning "sad" or "sorrowful," with Old French…"

Global rank #2,447 View name
AdvertisementAd — between sections

Names trending right now

Rising names for Boys

Help us make this better for every parent

Found a mistake · Know a name we’re missing · Have a different or better meaning for a name · Any question or recommendation — your insight helps families worldwide choose with confidence.

Share your feedback →
Scroll to Top
Follow & Connect