This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

Re: Kerstin--meaning?
in reply to a message by Ellie
It is a Scandinavian form [of Christina] aswell as a Low German one.Pronunciation is a little difficult to describe in English text, but something like 'chash-tinn' could perhaps do.'K' is soft before an 'E', somewhat between English 'CH' and 'SH'.
'E' is pronounced 'Ä' before an 'R' (never like the 'Ö' in English 'UR'.
'R' and 'S' combines to a retroflex 'SH'.
'I' is always short.
Stress is on the first syllable.The name has many varieties.Statistics [31.12 2001]
Sweden:Kerstin 97417
Kersti 1917
Kjerstin 519
Kjersti 169
Kärstin 141
Kärsti 44
Cherstin 29
Kjärstin 8
Kjärsti 5
Chersti 5
Chierstin 1Kirsti 1276
Kirsten 1040
Kirstin 30
(These three have a slightly different pronunciation in Swedish.)Norway:
Kirsten 10137
Kjersti 7599
Kirsti 4714
Kjerstin 644
Kerstin 421
Kirstin 193
Kersti 116
Kjærsti 76
Kjirsti 11
Kjærstin 7
vote up1vote down

Replies

KerstinHej Ålefeskarn,these statistics were jätteintressant!! Thanks!The name Kerstin was taken over by the people in northern Germany from Sweden, so it's not a "real" Low German form actually.
In Germany the name is pronounced Ker-steen (the first e sounds like the e in "less". The stress is on the first syllable.Regards, Satu
vote up1vote down
Tack, Alefeskarn (the usual diacritical mark above the "a" in your name :blush:
vote up1vote down