"crown, wreath"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Stefan
Pronunciation: [ st-EHF-ahn ]
Does Stefan flow with your last name?
A crowned classic worn by kings across Europe
German
Scandinavian
Slavic
Romanian
Dutch
Classic
Sophisticated
Traditional
Strong
Elegant
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Stefan
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"victorious, crowned one"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Stefan Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries (positive for fans, may feel dated)
The Story of Stefan
Stefan is the German, Scandinavian, and Slavic form of Stephen, which derives from the ancient Greek 'Stephanos' meaning 'crown' or 'wreath.' In ancient Greece, a stephanos was a garland of laurel or olive awarded to victors of games or distinguished citizens. Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, carried the name into Christian Europe where it spread widely in its many national forms: Stephen (English), Étienne (French), Estêvão (Portuguese), Istvan (Hungarian), and Stefan (Germanic/Slavic).
Stefan has long been a staple in German, Swedish, Dutch, and Eastern European countries. In English-speaking countries it gained some visibility through the Stefan Salvatore character in The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017), attracting fans of the show's romantic lead.
Saint Stephen (c. 5–34 AD) is venerated as the proto-martyr of Christianity, stoned to death for his faith as recorded in Acts. Stefan's Day (December 26) is celebrated in many European countries with feasts and traditions.
Historical Record
Stefan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 20,414 babies have been named Stefan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Stefan is past its peak , currently ranked #1,002 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The name derives from the Greek word for 'laurel wreath' — awarded to ancient Olympic victors
- Stefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) is Moldova and Romania's greatest medieval ruler
- Stefan is pronounced differently in each country: STEH-fahn in German, steh-FAHN in Slavic languages
Stefan in Other Languages
Greek
Στέφανος
German
Stefan
Swedish
Stefan
Romanian
Ştefan
Bulgarian
Стефан
Hungarian
István
Popularity Over Time
#1,002
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1991
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Stefan
S
Stefan Edberg
Athlete
1966
Swedish tennis legend, six-time Grand Slam champion and former world #1
S
Stefan cel Mare
Royalty
1433
Stephen the Great, Prince of Moldavia who defended against Ottoman expansion and is considered a national hero
S
Stefan Salvatore Fictional
Other
Fictional vampire protagonist of The Vampire Diaries TV series (2009-2017), played by Paul Wesley
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,002
- Total SSA Count
- 225
- Cultural Origins
- German Scandinavian Slavic Romanian Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Stef
Fane
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, sophisticated style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Stefan
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Stefan is also used as a girl name, ranked #33895.
View Stefan as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (German)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Stefan
What does the name Stefan mean?
"crown, wreath" (from Greek). "victorious, crowned one" (from Latin). Stefan is the German, Scandinavian, and Slavic form of Stephen, which derives from the ancient Greek 'Stephanos' meaning 'crown' or 'wreath.' In ancient Greece, a stephanos was a garland of laurel or olive awarded to victors of games or distinguished citizens. Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, carried the name into Christian Europe where it spread widely in its many national forms: Stephen (English), Étienne (French), Estêvão (Portuguese), Istvan (Hungarian), and Stefan (Germanic/Slavic).
What is the origin of the name Stefan?
Stefan has Greek, Latin, German, Scandinavian, Slavic, Romanian, and Dutch origins. In Greek, it means "crown, wreath". In Latin, it means "victorious, crowned one".
Is Stefan a boy or girl name?
Stefan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1002. As a girl name, it is ranked #33895. Stefan is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Stefan?
Stefan is pronounced st-EHF-ahn.
How popular is the name Stefan?
Stefan is currently ranked #1002 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Stefan?
Common nicknames for Stefan include Stef and Fane.
What are good middle names for Stefan?
Popular middle name pairings include Stefan James, Stefan Alexander, Stefan Michael, Stefan Paul, Stefan Lukas, Stefan Andreas, and Stefan Heinrich.
What are good sibling names for Stefan?
Names that pair well with Stefan as siblings include Klaus, Markus, Lukas, Katarina, Ingrid, Elsa, and Henrik.
How many syllables does Stefan have?
Stefan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Stefan a common or rare name?
Stefan is an uncommon name, ranked #1002 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Stefan?
Are there other spellings for Stefan?
Related spellings include Stefano.
About the Name Stefan
Stefan is a boy name with German, Scandinavian, Slavic, Romanian, and Dutch origins . The name means "crown, wreath" in Greek .
Is Stefan a boy or girl name? Stefan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,002 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #33,895. Stefan is more commonly used as a boy name.
Stefan is currently ranked #1,002 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Stefan has 2 syllables and is pronounced st-EHF-ahn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Stefan include Stef and Fane. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Stefan include Stefano . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis