Sven
A boy's name of Swedish origin with 2,484 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Swedish.
Sven is a boy's baby name of Swedish and Norse origin, from the Old Norse sveinn meaning 'young man,' 'boy,' or 'servant.' It has been a consistently popular name across Scandinavia for over a thousand years. For fans of Disney's Frozen, Sven is the loyal, lovable reindeer companion of Kristoff — giving the name additional warmth and charm.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Sven belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their clean, contemporary ending — among the most common endings in modern American names. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Within the Swedish naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Swedish names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Sven’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sven climbed 324 spots in the last 20 years — from #2944 to #2620.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 252 | #2622 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 417 | #3017 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 272 | #3657 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 261 | #2900 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 254 | #2273 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 293 | #1785 | — |
| 1960s | 296 | #1502 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 143 | #2304 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 63 | #3528 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 85 | #2822 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 81 | #3348 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 67 | #2231 | — |
The Story of Sven
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2015, Sven is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Sven are most likely born between 2005 and 2024.
How rare is Sven?
Only about 1 in every 70,588 babies born in 2024 was named Sven — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1911, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 417 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Sven by the numbers
- Would fill 52 school buses
- Meeting one Sven per day would take 6.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(109 years, 1911–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 51 | #2620 |
| 2023 | 53 | #2531 |
| 2022 | 51 | #2642 |
| 2021 | 44 | #2854 |
| 2020 | 53 | #2461 |
| 2019 | 53 | #2519 |
| 2018 | 52 | #2501 |
| 2017 | 37 | #3186 |
| 2016 | 36 | #3216 |
| 2015 | 58 | #2293 |
| 2014 | 56 | #2341 |
| 2013 | 33 | #3327 |
| 2012 | 34 | #3292 |
| 2011 | 24 | #4201 |
| 2010 | 34 | #3296 |
| 2009 | 28 | #3813 |
| 2008 | 33 | #3412 |
| 2007 | 25 | #4106 |
| 2006 | 31 | #3443 |
| 2005 | 18 | #4795 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sven a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sven most popular?
How popular is the name Sven?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1911–2024