The first name Stephen
A boy’s name from Greek meaning “crown”, “wreath”, “to put round”.
Pronounced /ˈstiːvən/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Stephen means “crown”, “wreath”, “to put round” in Greek.
From Latin Stephanus, from Ancient Greek Στέφανος (Stéphanos), from στέφανος (stéphanos, “crown, wreath”), from στέφω (stéphō, “to put round, to surround”). From *stegʷʰ- (“to enlace”) + -νος (-nos, suffix forming an adjective or noun) from Proto-Indo-European *-nós (suffix forming a verbal adjective from a verb stem).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 49 boys were named Stephen, making it the 716th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 1,122 births (#60).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Stephen with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Stephen at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 829 boys born in the United States were named Stephen, the 383rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1952, when 23,055 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.
Stephen in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Stephen
510 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Stephen HawkingBritish theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author (1942–2018)
- Stephen KingAmerican novelist and writer (born 1947)
- Stephen Harper22nd prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015
- Stephen HillenburgAmerican marine science educator and artist (1961-2018)
- Stephen CurryAmerican basketball player (born 1988)
- Saint StephenDeacon, martyr, and saint, 1–36
- Stephen Jay GouldAmerican biologist and historian of science (1941–2002)
- Stephen FryBritish comedian, actor, writer, presenter, and activist, born 1957
- Stephen CraneAmerican novelist, short story writer, poet, and journalist, 1871–1900
- Stephen ColbertAmerican comedian and writer (born 1964)
- Stephen CoveyAmerican educator, author, businessman and motivational speaker (1932-2012)
- Stephen AmellCanadian actor, born 1981
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Stephen mean?
- Stephen means “crown”, “wreath”, “to put round” in Greek.
- What is the origin of the name Stephen?
- From Latin Stephanus, from Ancient Greek Στέφανος (Stéphanos), from στέφανος (stéphanos, “crown, wreath”), from στέφω (stéphō, “to put round, to surround”). From *stegʷʰ- (“to enlace”) + -νος (-nos, suffix forming an adjective or noun) from Proto-Indo-European *-nós (suffix forming a verbal…
- How popular is the name Stephen?
- In 2025, 49 boys born in England and Wales were named Stephen, ranking 716th. Its peak was 1996, with 1,122 births.
- What are nicknames for Stephen?
- Common nicknames for Stephen include Steve, Steenie.
- Is Stephen a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 867,669 US babies named Stephen since 1880 were boys.
- When was Stephen most popular?
- 1952 in the United States, when 23,055 babies were named Stephen, its highest rank at 21st.
- How do you pronounce Stephen?
- Stephen is /ˈstiːvən/, 2 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Stephen?
- Steven, Stefanie and Stephon.
- Is Stephen also a surname?
- Yes. Stephen is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.