Torben

Meaning of Torben

Torben is a masculine name of Danish origin, derived from the Old Norse Þórbjǫrn—literally “Thor’s bear”—and historically linked to strength and courage. Its etymology merges Þórr, the Norse god of thunder, with bjǫrn, the Viking-era word for bear, reflecting a tradition of mythological and animal-based naming. In the United States, Torben holds a modest spot in Social Security data, ranking near 900th with 23 births recorded in 2024, a pattern of low yet steady usage over the past decade. Outside Scandinavia, the name has found occasional favor in Latin American communities, where its concise, two-syllable form shares the brevity and gravitas of classical Latin cognomina. Pronounced TOR-ben (/tɔrˈbən/), Torben provides a succinct, historically resonant option for parents drawn to Nordic heritage within a global naming landscape.