I recently read on behindthename.com that [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] is pronounced [name_m]KEER[/name_m]-stin and is of Scandinavian origin, while [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] (pronounced KURR-stin) is Scottish. Anyone else know anything about this? (I know that there was a recent thread about [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] and pronunciation, but as far as I can recall there wasn’t any talk about [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f].)
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think that [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] would be endlessly mispronounced? Personally, I think the [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] spelling makes me more inclined to pronounce it KURR-stin, which I can definitely envision in a Scottish accent. While I like [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f], I don’t think I like it enough to use it on a child, while [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] I definitely would.
I think both names are Scandinavian in origin (versions of [name_f]Christine[/name_f]) but [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] may be the spelling that is used most in [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] because it’s similar to the Scottish name of [name_f]Kirstie[/name_f]/[name_f]Kirsty[/name_f]. [name_m]Even[/name_m] [name_f]Kerstin[/name_f] may be pronounced differently in the various countries in Scandinavia. If you want the “KURR-stin” pronunciation, I would definitely use the [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] spelling.
[name_u]Mischa[/name_u], it would be interesting if the Scots commandeered the [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] spelling to use as a lengthier form of [name_f]Kirsty[/name_f]/[name_f]Kirstie[/name_f]!
I would honestly pronounce them both the same. [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] looks like a spelling variation of [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] (<which I like this spelling better).
I think it’s highly possible because there was a strong Viking influence in [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] from the 8th to 15th centuries . Norsemen were raiding and conquering many parts of the country, then settled with their families or married local women. Their influence has diminished quite a bit but it’s still there, especially in the northern islands like the Shetlands, the Orkneys and the Hebrides.
Very interesting, thanks! After doing more research, the majority of sources say they’re both Scandinavian, but a good number do have [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] as the Scottish form of [name_f]Christina[/name_f], with [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] as the Scandinavian form. I would assume, based on what you said, that’s because [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] has been around in [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] for so long already.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] a bit of personal input, but my name is [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] and I pronounce it “KURR-stin”. Almost like Curse-tin (but prettier, if I do say do myself!)
I think it is a good name. I like that it is different, unusual, sassy but still feminine.
I admit, it is rather constantly mispronounced, but whatever - after a certain point, it really doesn’t even bother me. I’ll answer to [name_f]Kristen[/name_f], [name_f]Kiersten[/name_f], [name_f]Kristine[/name_f].
But, just know, should you name your daughter this name - it [name_m]WILL[/name_m] be mispronounced. If that is something that will really bother you, I wouldn’t recommend this name.
Other than the pronunciation issues, I enjoy my name very much. And, again, the pronunciation doesn’t really bother me much. Whether it would bother you, however, if something you need to consider.
My sister’s name is [name_f]Kerstin[/name_f] (pronounced KURR-stin), so whenever I see the name [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] or [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] that is my go-to pronunciation.
It’s not a bad name, but gets confused with others a lot. For example when I was growing up, I had three friends - a [name_f]Kristin[/name_f], a [name_f]Kirstyn[/name_f], and a [name_f]Kiersten[/name_f]. I’d even muck it up when talking to them, and these were my closest friends. So if you’re looking to stay away from confusion, it’s not really the best name for that.
Thanks, ladies! I should have explained better in my original post. I figured it would be mispronounced a lot, but in my opinion the [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] spelling makes it look more like KURR-stin than [name_m]KEER[/name_m]-stin. But I guess if most people see the spellings as interchangeable, all that will matter is how they’ve heard the name pronounced in the past. I think this is one I’m going to have to think about.
In oz we say [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] as [name_m]Keer[/name_m]-sten that’s how my friend pronounces it anyway. Her nickname is Kir (pronounced [name_m]Keer[/name_m]).
Hm, I never would have guessed this way of dividing the two.
My sister’s name is [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] and we pronounce it “[name_m]KEER[/name_m]-stin”. We are not Scandanavian; she’s actually named for a [name_m]German[/name_m] 2nd cousin. (My sister is ~30 and the cousin is ~50-60, for reference.) I’m assuming my parents pronounce it the same at the [name_m]German[/name_m] cousin, though they apparently didn’t spell it the same! I just checked fb and the cousin is [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f]. I know another [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] who is also “keer-stin”.
And, yes, it has always been confused with [name_f]Kristin[/name_f], “kurr-stin”, “keer-stee,” “kurr-stee” and other similar names. She also often gets the [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] spelling.
Obviously, I’m biased, but I vastly prefer the “keer-stin” pronunciation, and I think that it’s more intuitive for an English speaker for either [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] or [name_f]Kirsten[/name_f]. Honestly, I don’t see how the end vowel change would affect the pronunciation of the first syllable? The only difference I would guess is pronouncing the end more like “-tin” or “-ten”. We’re on the “-tin” side, which seems right with the [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] spelling.
@loisvs: I really am not sure why I feel more inclined to pronounce it “KURR-stin” when it has an I instead of an E, probably just a weird head thing of mine. I wasn’t trying to say that it would actually affect the pronunciation of it, but I guess I was hoping some other people might feel the same way I do. Also, interesting about your sister and cousin! Thanks for sharing
Also, interesting about your sister and cousin! Thanks for sharing