Stephen Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Stephen Name Meaning

Fact: Several kings and princes have borne the name Stephen, including King Stephen of England, who reigned from 1135 to 1154.

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A Deep Dive

Stephen Overview

Meaning

Crown, wreath, garland

Gender

Boy

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word “Stephanos,” meaning crown or garland.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈstɛ.fən/

Popularity

Stephen enjoys international recognition, particularly in English-speaking countries. In the USA, Stephen was ranked 363rd for boys in 2023​.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

33 (Nurturing, Spiritual, Expressive, Altruistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Traditional, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Reliable, artistic, thoughtful, humble

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Stephen is a significant biblical name, associated with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Name Day

December 26th (Christian)
A Deep Dive

Stephen Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Steven, Stefan, Esteban, Stefano, Stefanos, Stephan, Étienne

Common Nicknames

Steve, Steph, Ste, Stef, Step

Diminutives

Stevy, Stefi, Stevie

Famous People

  • Stephen King
    (American Author)
  • Stephen Hawking
    (British Physicist)
  • Stephen Colbert
    (American Comedian)
  • Stephen Curry
    (American Basketball Player)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Stephen Strange
    ("Doctor Strange," Film)
  • Stephen Dedalus
    ("A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," Novel)
  • Stephen Falken
    ("WarGames," Film)

Places

  • St. Stephen City
    (New Brunswick, Canada)
  • Stephen Island
    (Queensland, Australia)
  • Stephen's Green Park
    (Dublin, Ireland)
  • Stephen Foster State Park
    (Florida, USA)
  • Stephen Avenue
    (Alberta, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Stephen?

Stephen means “crown” or “garland,” symbolizing honor and reward. Bearers of the name Stephen often exhibit qualities of leadership and are seen as dignified and noble.

What Is the Origin of The Name Stephen?

Stephen derives from the Greek name Στέφανος (Stephanos), which translates to “crown” or “wreath.” It gained popularity through early Christian saints, including the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen.

Stephen Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Stephen in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#3412021#3582022#3632023
Top 3 Rankings#191949#191950#191951

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Stephen

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023363
(-5 from 2022)
892
(-24 from 2022)
0.04871
2022358
(-17 from 2021)
916
(-40 from 2021)
0.04891
2021341
(-19 from 2020)
956
(-66 from 2020)
0.05102
2020322
(-13 from 2019)
1022
(-72 from 2019)
0.05525
2019309
(-26 from 2018)
1094
(-151 from 2018)
0.05693
2018283
(-13 from 2017)
1245
(-88 from 2017)
0.06405
2017270
(-5 from 2016)
1333
(-45 from 2016)
0.06735
2016265
(-19 from 2015)
1378
(-117 from 2015)
0.06803
2015246
(+11 from 2014)
1495
(+43 from 2014)
0.07313
2014257
(-5 from 2013)
1452
No change from 2013
0.07086
2013252
(-27 from 2012)
1452
(-116 from 2012)
0.07186
2012225
(+4 from 2011)
1568
(-10 from 2011)
0.07727
2011229
(-28 from 2010)
1578
(-242 from 2010)
0.07768
2010201
(-1 from 2009)
1820
(-99 from 2009)
0.08859
2009200
(-8 from 2008)
1919
(-172 from 2008)
0.09048
2008192
(-20 from 2007)
2091
(-284 from 2007)
0.09590
2007172
(-8 from 2006)
2375
(-176 from 2006)
0.10722
2006164
(-22 from 2005)
2551
(-194 from 2005)
0.11636
2005142
(-2 from 2004)
2745
(-105 from 2004)
0.12903
2004140
(-12 from 2003)
2850
(-292 from 2003)
0.13486
2003128
(-14 from 2002)
3142
(-207 from 2002)
0.14954
2002114
(-12 from 2001)
3349
(-389 from 2001)
0.16205
2001102
(-7 from 2000)
3738
(-399 from 2000)
0.18072
200095
(-10 from 1999)
4137
(-406 from 1999)
0.19810
199985
(-7 from 1998)
4543
(-470 from 1998)
0.22280
199878
(-10 from 1997)
5013
(-402 from 1997)
0.24723
199768
(-9 from 1996)
5415
(-593 from 1996)
0.27105
199659
(-2 from 1995)
6008
(-548 from 1995)
0.29984
199557
(-8 from 1994)
6556
(-926 from 1994)
0.32595
199449
(-2 from 1993)
7482
(-888 from 1993)
0.36706
199347
(-2 from 1992)
8370
(-938 from 1992)
0.40523
199245
(-4 from 1991)
9308
(-1216 from 1991)
0.44341
199141
(-2 from 1990)
10524
(-1419 from 1990)
0.49649
199039
(+1 from 1989)
11943
(+208 from 1989)
0.55496
198940
No change from 1988
11735
(+127 from 1988)
0.55988
198840
(-2 from 1987)
11608
(+59 from 1987)
0.57974
198738
(-2 from 1986)
11549
(-327 from 1986)
0.59219
198636
No change from 1985
11876
(-333 from 1985)
0.61800
198536
(-1 from 1984)
12209
(+115 from 1984)
0.63443
198435
No change from 1983
12094
(+531 from 1983)
0.64443
198335
(+3 from 1982)
11563
(+933 from 1982)
0.62047
198238
(+1 from 1981)
10630
(+328 from 1981)
0.56327
198139
(+1 from 1980)
10302
(+239 from 1980)
0.55316
198040
No change from 1979
10063
(+158 from 1979)
0.54255
197940
(-3 from 1978)
9905
(+49 from 1978)
0.55294
197837
(+1 from 1977)
9856
(+220 from 1977)
0.57684
197738
(-1 from 1976)
9636
(-91 from 1976)
0.56372
197637
(-3 from 1975)
9727
(-6 from 1975)
0.59580
197534
(+1 from 1974)
9733
(-368 from 1974)
0.59991
197435
(-3 from 1973)
10101
(+143 from 1973)
0.61960
197332
(-3 from 1972)
9958
(-1079 from 1972)
0.61711
197229
(-2 from 1971)
11037
(-2065 from 1971)
0.65930
197127
No change from 1970
13102
(-1660 from 1970)
0.72073
197027
No change from 1969
14762
(-330 from 1969)
0.77500
196927
No change from 1968
15092
(+331 from 1968)
0.82508
196827
(-1 from 1967)
14761
(-327 from 1967)
0.83140
196726
No change from 1966
15088
(+345 from 1966)
0.84791
196626
(+2 from 1965)
14743
(+93 from 1965)
0.81111
196528
(+1 from 1964)
14650
(-318 from 1964)
0.77325
196429
No change from 1963
14968
(-21 from 1963)
0.73842
196329
(-1 from 1962)
14989
(-627 from 1962)
0.72599
196228
(-1 from 1961)
15616
(-446 from 1961)
0.74302
196127
No change from 1960
16062
(-196 from 1960)
0.74465
196027
(+1 from 1959)
16258
(-235 from 1959)
0.75082
195928
(-2 from 1958)
16493
(-1468 from 1958)
0.76128
195826
(-2 from 1957)
17961
(-1768 from 1957)
0.83351
195724
(-1 from 1956)
19729
(-1477 from 1956)
0.90132
195623
(-2 from 1955)
21206
(-946 from 1955)
0.98806
195521
(-1 from 1954)
22152
(+272 from 1954)
1.05977
195420
(+1 from 1953)
21880
(+72 from 1953)
1.05745
195321
No change from 1952
21808
(-1246 from 1952)
1.08919
195221
(-2 from 1951)
23054
(+582 from 1951)
1.16830
195119
No change from 1950
22472
(+1961 from 1950)
1.17551
195019
No change from 1949
20511
(+24 from 1949)
1.12772
194919
(+1 from 1948)
20487
(+3426 from 1948)
1.13690
194820
(+1 from 1947)
17061
(+1732 from 1947)
0.95701
194721
(+3 from 1946)
15329
(+3495 from 1946)
0.82521
194624
(+2 from 1945)
11834
(+3196 from 1945)
0.71704
194526
(+2 from 1944)
8638
(+843 from 1944)
0.62984
194428
(+1 from 1943)
7795
(-136 from 1943)
0.56113
194329
(+3 from 1942)
7931
(+431 from 1942)
0.54523
194232
(+9 from 1941)
7500
(+1689 from 1941)
0.53256
194141
(+8 from 1940)
5811
(+1389 from 1940)
0.46308
194049
(+16 from 1939)
4422
(+1246 from 1939)
0.37280
193965
(+9 from 1938)
3176
(+450 from 1938)
0.28024
193874
(+18 from 1937)
2726
(+593 from 1937)
0.23986
193792
(+7 from 1936)
2133
(+271 from 1936)
0.19504
193699
(+14 from 1935)
1862
(+212 from 1935)
0.17495
1935113
(+8 from 1934)
1650
(+226 from 1934)
0.15426
1934121
(+5 from 1933)
1424
(+103 from 1933)
0.13409
1933126
(-2 from 1932)
1321
(-68 from 1932)
0.12949
1932124
(+6 from 1931)
1389
(+55 from 1931)
0.12928
1931130
(+8 from 1930)
1334
(+77 from 1930)
0.12470
1930138
(-12 from 1929)
1257
(-99 from 1929)
0.11129
1929126
(+4 from 1928)
1356
(+20 from 1928)
0.12243
1928130
(-5 from 1927)
1336
(-110 from 1927)
0.11707
1927125
(+5 from 1926)
1446
(+111 from 1926)
0.12445
1926130
(-8 from 1925)
1335
(-147 from 1925)
0.11655
1925122
(-12 from 1924)
1482
(-154 from 1924)
0.12871
1924110
(-1 from 1923)
1636
(+31 from 1923)
0.13994
1923109
(-8 from 1922)
1605
(-117 from 1922)
0.14175
1922101
(-4 from 1921)
1722
(-146 from 1921)
0.15304
192197
(-1 from 1920)
1868
(+97 from 1920)
0.16416
192096
(+1 from 1919)
1771
(+77 from 1919)
0.16089
191997
(-1 from 1918)
1694
(-149 from 1918)
0.16684
191896
(-7 from 1917)
1843
(-49 from 1917)
0.17575
191789
(-2 from 1916)
1892
(+15 from 1916)
0.19723
191687
(-1 from 1915)
1877
(+27 from 1915)
0.20331
191586
(-6 from 1914)
1850
(+364 from 1914)
0.21001
191480
(+6 from 1913)
1486
(+389 from 1913)
0.21747
191386
(+2 from 1912)
1097
(+169 from 1912)
0.20457
191288
(-5 from 1911)
928
(+442 from 1911)
0.20556
191183
(+12 from 1910)
486
(+136 from 1910)
0.20133
191095
(-5 from 1909)
350
(+36 from 1909)
0.16785
190990
(+4 from 1908)
314
(+34 from 1908)
0.17754
190894
No change from 1907
280
(+7 from 1907)
0.16830
190794
(+8 from 1906)
273
(+66 from 1906)
0.17215
1906102
(-9 from 1905)
207
(-39 from 1905)
0.14368
190593
(+24 from 1904)
246
(+68 from 1904)
0.17175
1904117
(-21 from 1903)
178
(-22 from 1903)
0.12852
190396
(-2 from 1902)
200
(-10 from 1902)
0.15465
190294
(+14 from 1901)
210
(+52 from 1901)
0.15819
1901108
(+19 from 1900)
158
(-23 from 1900)
0.13669
1900127
(-30 from 1899)
181
(+3 from 1899)
0.11164
189997
(+1 from 1898)
178
(-17 from 1898)
0.15452
189898
(-4 from 1897)
195
(+1 from 1897)
0.14762
189794
(+19 from 1896)
194
(+30 from 1896)
0.15909
1896113
(-10 from 1895)
164
(-15 from 1895)
0.12706
1895103
No change from 1894
179
(+5 from 1894)
0.14134
1894103
(-2 from 1893)
174
(-1 from 1893)
0.13932
1893101
(+3 from 1892)
175
(-3 from 1892)
0.14458
1892104
(+2 from 1891)
178
(+38 from 1891)
0.13541
1891106
(+1 from 1890)
140
(-16 from 1890)
0.12813
1890107
(-6 from 1889)
156
(-8 from 1889)
0.13033
1889101
(-3 from 1888)
164
(-23 from 1888)
0.13778
188898
(-7 from 1887)
187
(+22 from 1887)
0.14395
188791
(-2 from 1886)
165
(-16 from 1886)
0.15095
188689
(+4 from 1885)
181
(+23 from 1885)
0.15205
188593
No change from 1884
158
(-7 from 1884)
0.13627
188493
(+4 from 1883)
165
(+25 from 1883)
0.13443
188397
(-16 from 1882)
140
(-61 from 1882)
0.12447
188281
(+7 from 1881)
201
(+54 from 1881)
0.16471
188188
(-4 from 1880)
147
(-29 from 1880)
0.13576
188084
First SSA data recorded
176
First SSA data recorded
0.14865

American States Popularity Rankings for Stephen

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2782021#3122022#2872023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4252021#4042022#4492023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2182021#2722022#2202023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1532021#2012022#1882023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#4582021#3772022#4272023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2862021#3682022#4582023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4562021#4432022#5562023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2522021#2452022#3042023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4162021#4042022#3012023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3302021#3982022#4252023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3132021#3692022#4492023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3032021#3342022#4222023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3242021#3502022#3732023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2772021#2622022#3312023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3002021#3322022#3822023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#3172021#3632022#2802023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2162021#3242022#1912023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#4152021#3502022#3382023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2952021#3492022#2912023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3632021#2952022#3942023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3262021#3462022#1942023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#8922021#4512022#6462023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#5812021#5032022#5282023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3682020#7712022#8902023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3422021#6732022#3392023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3042021#2792022#2572023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4622021#5102022#4852023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#5692021#4672022#4932023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2232020#2562021#2562023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#5032021#3792022#3722023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1722017#1462018#1912019

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2662014#2142015#1682016

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5042021#5262022#4412023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2322017#1492020#2442022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5982021#4712022#3572023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4102021#2902022#4122023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2402020#6382021#5542023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4992021#5542022#5062023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1552018#1922019#1622021

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3162017#4982019#4922022

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3302016#4202018#3002019

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2022017#2502021#2452022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#3252015#2842016#2252022

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1422001#992003#1452007

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4502017#2282018#3372020

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1402003#1902008#2092016

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2922019#4902020#3322021

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2572009#2582011#1992012

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2182014#1662015#1352018

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2232009#2192016#2602021

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1592003#1522004#1762006

Popularity Rankings for Stephen in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England flagMedieval England#161377-1381

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#892000#462016

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#761995#891996#1001997

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1881987

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1932021#2052022#2242023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2262021#2852022#3482023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2732021#3122022#3042023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#4612013#3662016#2752018

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3632017#3982018#3332020

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#4762020#5642021#3612022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4991996#4862000#4832001

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5062019#5642020#4962021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7322015

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8262017#9602020#9802021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Stephen a Name for Boys or Girls?

With its origins in ancient Greece and significant male figures throughout history, Stephen is primarily associated with boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Stephen

Stephen in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Stephen King (Author, born 1947): An American author famous for his prolific and influential horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy novels.
  • Stephen Hawking (Physicist, 1942–2018): A British theoretical physicist whose work on black holes and cosmology made him one of the most renowned scientists of his time.
  • Stephen Colbert (Comedian, born 1964): An American comedian and television host best known for "The Colbert Report" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
  • Stephen Curry (Basketball Player, born 1988): An American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.
  • Stephen Sondheim (Composer, 1930–2021): An American composer and lyricist celebrated for his work in musical theater, including "Sweeney Todd" and "Into the Woods."
  • Stephen Spielberg (Director, born 1946): An American film director, producer, and screenwriter behind some of the most iconic films in cinema history, such as "E.T." and "Jurassic Park."
  • Stephen Strange ("Doctor Strange," 2016 Film): A brilliant neurosurgeon who becomes the Sorcerer Supreme to protect Earth from mystical threats.
  • Stephen Dedalus ("A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," 1916 Novel by James Joyce): A young man growing up in Dublin, exploring his identity and artistic expression.
  • Stephen Falken ("WarGames," 1983 Film): A computer scientist whose work inadvertently brings the world to the brink of nuclear war.
  • Stephen Hawking ("The Theory of Everything," 2014 Film): The story of the famous physicist's life, including his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics.
  • Stephen Maturin ("Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," 2003 Film): A physician and naturalist who serves aboard the HMS Surprise.
  • St. Stephen City (New Brunswick, Canada): A town in New Brunswick situated on the Canada-US border along the St. Croix River.
  • Stephen Island (Queensland, Australia): An island in the Torres Strait that is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
  • Stephen's Green Park (Dublin, Ireland): A historic park in central Dublin featuring beautifully landscaped gardens and a large lake.
  • Stephen Foster State Park (Florida, USA): A state park located on the Suwannee River, dedicated to the American composer Stephen Foster.
  • Stephen Avenue (Alberta, Canada): A pedestrian mall in downtown Calgary, lined with historic buildings, shops, and restaurants.
  • St. Stephen's Cathedral (Vienna, Austria): A prominent Gothic cathedral in the heart of Vienna, serving as the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna.

Similar Names to Stephen

Sibling Names for Stephen