Ekström is a Swedish surname that originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near an oak tree by a stream. The first element ek derives from Old Norse eik, meaning "oak", while ström comes from Old Norse straumr, meaning "stream".Distribution and VariantsThe surname is most common in Sweden and in the Swedish-speaking regions of Finland. It is also found in other countries with Scandinavian diaspora. An English-language variant, Ekström, is often simplified to Ekstrom, particularly in the United States.Notable BearersSeveral notable individuals bear the surname, including Mattias Ekström, a Swedish racing driver who won the World Rallycross Championship, and Per Ekström, a landscape painter known for his depictions of Swedish nature. In sports, Mike Ekstrom is an American Major League Baseball pitcher, and Johnny Ekström is a former Swedish footballer. Author Jan Ekström wrote many books in Swedish. Within American politics, Mary Ekstrom served as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives. In military history, Clarence Ekstrom was a rear admiral in the United States Navy.Additional FactsMeaning: Oak streamOrigin: Swedish topographic surnameType: SurnameRegion: Sweden, Finland, English-speaking countries (as Ekstrom)