"crown, wreath"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Steven
Pronunciation: [ st-EEV-uhn ]
Boy Name
#269 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A saint's crown worn by generations of achievers
English
American
Dutch
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Simple
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Steven
Steven is an English variant spelling of Stephen, derived from the Greek Stephanos, meaning wreath or crown, from the verb stephein (to encircle). Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr, making the name deeply embedded in Christian tradition from the earliest centuries. The v spelling became the dominant American form while ph remained the British preference, but both are equally correct and derive from identical origins.
Steven was a top-20 name in the US through the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, fueled by its strong associations with mid-century American masculinity. Steven Spielberg, Steven Tyler, and Steve Jobs kept the name in the cultural spotlight. It has declined since the 1990s as naming tastes shifted toward less common options.
Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr stoned to death in Jerusalem around 36 CE, made this name sacred across the Christian world. In many European countries, December 26 is still celebrated as Saint Stephen's Day. Hungary's patron saint, King Stephen I, cemented the name's importance across Central Europe.
Fun Facts
- Saint Stephen's Day (December 26) is a public holiday in Ireland, Germany, Austria, and many other countries
- Steven Spielberg's films have grossed more money at the global box office than those of any other director in history
- The v vs ph spelling divide is almost exclusively a US-UK distinction — the rest of the world uses local-language equivalents like Stefan or Esteban
Steven in Other Languages
French
Etienne
German
Stefan
Italian
Stefano
Russian
Stepan
Spanish
Esteban
Portuguese
Estevao
Famous People Named Steven
S
Steve Jobs
Business
1955
Co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc., credited with revolutionizing personal computing, music, and smartphones
S
Steven Tyler
Musician
1948
American rock musician and lead vocalist of Aerosmith, one of the best-selling music artists of all time
S
Steven Spielberg
Other
1946
American film director whose works include Jaws, E.T., Schindler's List, and Jurassic Park
S
Steven Hyde Fictional
Other
Main character in the TV sitcom That 70s Show (1998-2006), the rebellious, philosophically minded member of the friend g...
Main character in the TV sitcom That 70s Show (1998-2006), the rebellious, philosophically minded member of the friend group
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #269
- Total SSA Count
- 1,284
- Cultural Origins
- English American Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Steve
Stevie
Pairs Well With
Steven James
Steven Michael
Steven Allen
Steven Paul
Steven Ray
Steven Anthony
Steven Joseph
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Steven is also used as a girl name, ranked #66038.
View Steven as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Steven
What does the name Steven mean?
"crown, wreath" (from Greek). Steven is an English variant spelling of Stephen, derived from the Greek Stephanos, meaning wreath or crown, from the verb stephein (to encircle). Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr, making the name deeply embedded in Christian tradition from the earliest centuries. The v spelling became the dominant American form while ph remained the British preference, but both are equally correct and derive from identical origins.
What is the origin of the name Steven?
Steven has Greek, English, American, and Dutch origins. In Greek, it means "crown, wreath".
Is Steven a boy or girl name?
Steven is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #269. As a girl name, it is ranked #66038. Steven is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Steven?
Steven is pronounced st-EEV-uhn.
How popular is the name Steven?
Steven is currently ranked #269 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Steven?
Common nicknames for Steven include Steve and Stevie.
What are good middle names for Steven?
Popular middle name pairings include Steven James, Steven Michael, Steven Allen, Steven Paul, Steven Ray, Steven Anthony, and Steven Joseph.
What are good sibling names for Steven?
Names that pair well with Steven as siblings include Kevin, Brian, Michelle, Karen, Jennifer, Scott, and Lisa.
How many syllables does Steven have?
Steven has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Steven a common or rare name?
Steven is a popular name, ranked #269 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Steven
Steven is a boy name with English, American, and Dutch origins . The name means "crown, wreath" in Greek .
Is Steven a boy or girl name? Steven is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #269 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #66,038. Steven is more commonly used as a boy name.
Steven is currently ranked #269 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Steven has 2 syllables and is pronounced st-EEV-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Steven include Steve and Stevie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Steven include Steve, Stevie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.