"crown, wreath"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
Stephen
Pronunciation: [ st-EEV-uhn ]
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A royal crown of a name with 2,000 years of illustrious history
English
Irish
Greek
American
Classic
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Strong
Intellectual
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Nicknames for Stephen
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Meaning & Origin
"the crowned one"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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The Story of Stephen
Stephen derives from the ancient Greek Stephanos meaning crown or wreath. It was the name of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stoned to death in Jerusalem around 36 AD according to the Acts of the Apostles. The name spread throughout the Christian world in the early medieval period, was introduced to Britain by the Normans, and became one of the most common English given names for over a millennium of continuous use.
Stephen was one of the most popular names in the English-speaking world from the 1940s through the 1970s. The persistent spelling debate between Stephen and Steven reflects a cultural divide — Stephen is the traditional spelling, while Steven became popular as a 20th-century American variant. Both are pronounced identically.
St. Stephen's Day (December 26) is celebrated in Ireland as Wren Day. King Stephen reigned in England from 1135 to 1154. In modern times, the name has produced extraordinary intellectual and cultural figures — Stephen Hawking, Stephen King, and Stephen Sondheim represent three very different peaks of human achievement.
Historical Record
Stephen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 704,098 babies have been named Stephen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Stephen is past its peak , currently ranked #378 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Stephen is the English form of the Greek Stephanos — the word for a laurel victory crown or wreath
- St. Stephen (died c. 36 AD) was the first Christian martyr, stoned to death after a speech before the Sanhedrin
- Stephen Hawking, Stephen King, and Stephen Sondheim — physicist, horror author, and musical genius — all share this name
Stephen in Other Languages
Greek
Stefanos
French
Etienne
German
Stefan
Polish
Szczepan
Italian
Stefano
Russian
Stepan
Spanish
Esteban
Popularity Over Time
#378
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Stephen
S
Stephen Colbert
Entertainer
1964
American comedian, satirist, and host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
S
Stephen King
Writer
1947
American author of horror and suspense fiction including The Shining, It, and The Stand — one of the best-selling author...
American author of horror and suspense fiction including The Shining, It, and The Stand — one of the best-selling authors of all time
S
Stephen Hawking
Scientist
1942
Theoretical physicist and cosmologist, author of A Brief History of Time, who revolutionized understanding of black hole...
Theoretical physicist and cosmologist, author of A Brief History of Time, who revolutionized understanding of black holes despite living with ALS for 55 years
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #378
- Total SSA Count
- 864
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish Greek American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Steve
Stevie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Stephen
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Stephen is also used as a girl name, ranked #28857.
View Stephen as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Stephen
What does the name Stephen mean?
"crown, wreath" (from Ancient Greek). "the crowned one" (from Latin). Stephen derives from the ancient Greek Stephanos meaning crown or wreath. It was the name of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stoned to death in Jerusalem around 36 AD according to the Acts of the Apostles. The name spread throughout the Christian world in the early medieval period, was introduced to Britain by the Normans, and became one of the most common English given names for over a millennium of continuous use.
What is the origin of the name Stephen?
Stephen has Ancient Greek, Latin, English, Irish, Greek, and American origins. In Ancient Greek, it means "crown, wreath". In Latin, it means "the crowned one".
Is Stephen a boy or girl name?
Stephen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #378. As a girl name, it is ranked #28857. Stephen is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Stephen?
Stephen is pronounced st-EEV-uhn.
How popular is the name Stephen?
Stephen is currently ranked #378 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Stephen?
Common nicknames for Stephen include Steve and Stevie.
What are good middle names for Stephen?
Popular middle name pairings include Stephen James, Stephen Michael, Stephen John, Stephen Patrick, Stephen Thomas, Stephen David, and Stephen Anthony.
What are good sibling names for Stephen?
Names that pair well with Stephen as siblings include Michael, Christopher, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Matthew, Brian, and Karen.
How many syllables does Stephen have?
Stephen has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Stephen a common or rare name?
Stephen is a popular name, ranked #378 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Stephen?
About the Name Stephen
Stephen is a boy name with English, Irish, Greek, and American origins . The name means "crown, wreath" in Ancient Greek .
Is Stephen a boy or girl name? Stephen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #378 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #28,857. Stephen is more commonly used as a boy name.
Stephen is currently ranked #378 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Stephen has 2 syllables and is pronounced st-EEV-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Stephen include Steve and Stevie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Stephen include Stephan, Stephon . 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