The first name Stefan
A boy’s name meaning “to crown”, “that which surrounds”, “crown”.
2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Stefan means “to crown”, “that which surrounds”, “crown”.
From Ancient Greek στεφανίζω (stephanízō, “to crown”) & Ancient Greek στέφανος (stéphanos, “that which surrounds, crown, wreath”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 95 boys were named Stefan, making it the 422nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 222 births (#155).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Stefan with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Stefan at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 219 boys born in the United States were named Stefan, the 1,023rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1991, when 719 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicknames and spellings
Nicknames for Stefan
Famous people named Stefan
203 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Stefan ZweigAustrian writer (1881–1942)
- Stefan de VrijDutch association football player (born 1992)
- Stefan DušanEmperor of Serbia 1331–1355
- Stefan KießlingGerman association football player, born 1984
- Stefan EffenbergGerman association football player, born 1968
- Stefan RaabGerman entertainer, born 1966
- Stefan KuntzGerman association football player and manager, born 1962
- Stefan ReuterGerman football executive and player (born 1966)
- Stefan PoschAustrian association football player, born 1997
- Stefan OrtegaGerman association football player, born 1992
- Stefan KraftAustrian ski jumper, born 1993
- Stefan LainerAustrian association football player, born 1992
Questions
- What does the name Stefan mean?
- Stefan means “to crown”, “that which surrounds”, “crown”.
- How popular is the name Stefan?
- In 2025, 95 boys born in England and Wales were named Stefan, ranking 422nd. Its peak was 1996, with 222 births.
- What are nicknames for Stefan?
- Common nicknames for Stefan include Stef.
- Is Stefan a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 21,237 US babies named Stefan since 1880 were boys.
- When was Stefan most popular?
- 1991 in the United States, when 719 babies were named Stefan, its highest rank at 339th.
- Is Stefan also a surname?
- Yes. Stefan is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.