From Latin 'Christianus' meaning follower of Christ; used as both a given name and verb form.
Christen is principally a Scandinavian given name, functioning as both a masculine and feminine form of Christian in Danish and Norwegian tradition. It derives from the Latin Christianus, meaning "follower of Christ," which itself came from the Greek Christos, "the anointed one." Christianity spread the name across Europe through baptismal custom — to be named Christian in any of its forms was to announce one's faith in the most direct way possible — and Scandinavian forms like Christen, Kristen, and Kirsten developed their own distinct regional character over centuries.
In Denmark, Christen was historically a masculine name, borne by farmers, clergy, and craftsmen throughout the medieval and early modern periods. Danish records from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries are populated with men named Christen, often abbreviated Chr. in official documents.
The name crossed into feminine usage in anglophone countries, where its similarity to Christine and Kristen made the distinction seem natural rather than confusing. The American usage tends toward femininity while Scandinavian usage remains more gender-balanced. The name carries a quiet, serious beauty — it lacks the ornamental qualities of some Scandinavian names and instead offers a direct, grounded solemnity.
In contemporary usage, Christen is most common in the United States and Scandinavia, often chosen by families with Norwegian or Danish heritage who want a name that honors that lineage without requiring explanation. Its similarity to Christine gives it immediate legibility while the distinctive spelling preserves its cultural specificity. American soccer player Christen Press — an Olympic gold medalist — has given the name modern athletic visibility and a sense of determined, principled excellence.