Östen is the Swedish form of the Old Norse name Eysteinn, which ultimately derives from elements meaning "island" or "good fortune" (from ey) and "stone" (from steinn). As such, the name can be interpreted as "lucky stone" or "island stone." While now rare as a given name, Östen remains in occasional use in Sweden, reflecting a connection to ancient Nordic traditions. Etymology The name traces back to the Old Norse Eysteinn, composed of ey (with connotations of either 'island' or 'good luck') and steinn ('stone'). The two possible meanings – 'island-stone' or 'lucky stone' – mirror the richness of Norse naming conventions. The Swedish adaptation Östen emerged through regular sound changes, and variants include Norwegian Øystein and Scottish Gaelic Ùisdean. Notable Bearers The best-known historical bearer is Eysteinn (died ca. 600 CE), a semi-legendary king of Sweden. His saga appears in sources such as the Ynglinga saga and Beowulf. According to legend, he was killed by the Jutish or Geatish king Sölve, who ambushed him at a feast and burned the hall. The Eysteinn tumulus (Östens hög) near Västerås in Sweden is associated with this king, though archaeological evidence remains inconclusive. His son Ingvar became a king in his own right. Cultural Significance Though no longer a common name, Östen lives on in Swedish toponyms and archaeological lore. The name exemplifies the ancient Germanic practice of forming names from poetic compounds, blending nature elements with abstract concepts like fortune. Its linguistic ties to Scottish Gaelic show the spread of Norse influence across the North Sea region. Meaning: "Island stone" or "lucky stone" Origin: Old Norse; is a variant of Eysteinn Type: Given name Usage: Primarily Swedish (historical), also continued in modern use Related Names: Øystein (Norwegian), Ùisdean (Scottish Gaelic)