The nameStephen
Stephen is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "crown". The name of the first Christian martyr and of Stephen Hawking, it is a timeless classic.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Stephen comes from the Greek stephanos, "crown, wreath".
Origin
Greek. Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned in Jerusalem around 36; he is celebrated on 26 December.
History
King Stephen ruled England in the 12th century. The name reached the American top 20 in the mid 20th century. Stephen Hawking and Stephen King are famous bearers.
Did you know?
- Stephen King threw the first pages of Carrie in the bin; his wife fished them out and urged him to finish it.
- Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time (1988) sold more than ten million copies.
Famous people named Stephen
- Saint Stephen, first martyr
- Stephen Hawking, physicist
- Stephen King, writer
- Stephen Fry, actor and writer
Popularity of the name Stephen
Stephen in the United States
Stephen was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 207,627 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Stephen. Its rise began around 1938, and it peaked in 1952. Half of all babies named Stephen in the United States were born before 1964, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 932 births a year on average, against 1,309 in the five years before.
Stephen in the United Kingdom
Stephen was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 4,906 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Stephen. Half of all babies named Stephen in the United Kingdom were born before 2002. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 78 births a year on average, against 122 in the five years before.
Stephen in Ireland
Stephen in France
Stephen in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Stephen
Names from the same generation as Stephen, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Stephen? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Stephen with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Stephen side by side with the name of your choice.
Stephen in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stephen mean?
Stephen comes from the Greek stephanos, "crown, wreath".
What is the origin of the name Stephen?
Greek. Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned in Jerusalem around 36; he is celebrated on 26 December.
Is Stephen a girl's or a boy's name?
Stephen is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Stephen?
In 2024, Stephen was the 378th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 864 births.
What are the variants of the name Stephen?
Variants and related names of Stephen include Étienne, Steeve, Steevy and Steve.
What are good sibling names for Stephen?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Melissa, Catherine, Angela and Alexandra for a sister, Gregory, Pedro, Alex and Jason for a brother.
Who are famous people named Stephen?
Saint Stephen, first martyr; Stephen Hawking, physicist; Stephen King, writer; Stephen Fry, actor and writer.