Sven is a prominent Scandinavian masculine first name, originating from the Old Norse word sveinn, meaning "young man" or "servant." Common variants include Svend (Danish/Norwegian) and Svein, while the less common female equivalent, Svenja, is primarily found in German-speaking countries. Historically, in medieval Swedish, "sven" or "sven av vapen" was a term for a squire.
The name has been borne by a diverse array of influential individuals across various fields. Notable figures include the world-renowned Norwegian chess Grandmaster Sven Magnus Carlsen (born 1990) and the influential Swedish football manager Sven-Göran Eriksson (1948–2024). Other famous bearers include the pioneering Swedish explorer and geographer Sven Hedin (1865–1952), and acclaimed Swedish singer and actor Sven-Bertil Taube (1934–2022), showcasing the name's enduring legacy in culture, sports, and exploration.