Esteban

BoySpanish, Greek· “crown, garland”

Meaning
crown, garland
Origin
Spanish, Greek
Pronunciation
ehs-TEH-bahn
Syllables
3
US rank 2025
#461
US babies 2025
673
Best rank
#320 (2005)
Peak year
2005

Meaning and origin of Esteban

Esteban is a Spanish and Greek name that means “crown, garland”.

Esteban is the Spanish form of Stephen, from the Greek Stephanos, meaning crown or garland, the kind of wreath given to victors in ancient contests. In the Acts of the Apostles Stephen is described as the first Christian martyr, and his feast day made the name widespread throughout Europe. In Spanish it developed into Esteban, a familiar name in Spain and Latin America for centuries. Esteban has a rhythmic, confident sound and a classic feel, and Steban or Teban are casual short forms used in some families.

Popularity over time

03006009001.2k1900192019401960198020002020Peak 2005: 1,024
US babies named Esteban per year, 1880 to 2025

Esteban first appears in US Social Security records in 1891. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 84 different years, starting in 1925. Its best national rank was #320 in 2005, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,024 babies. In 2025, 673 babies were named Esteban, and it ranked #461 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.

Its national rank moved from #1,394 in 1920, #881 in 1950, #454 in 1980, #334 in 2000, #378 in 2010, and #461 in 2025. Of the 35,592 US boys named Esteban since records began, 24% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 7,471 babies. Since 2010, 11,596 more have been named Esteban.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Braeden, Nikolas, Talan, Jayson, and Arturo.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Esteban ranked highest in Texas, California, and Arizona.

StateRank thereBabies
Texas#225176
California#227165
Arizona#23834
New Mexico#2468
Nevada#30610

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for boys.

Esteban is usually pronounced ehs-TEH-bahn, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with E and ends in “-an”.

Middle names for Esteban

A few middle names that flow with Esteban: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Kai Boy
KY
“sea (Hawaiian)” · Hawaiian
#93

Sibling names for Esteban

Similar names

Juan Boy
WAHN
“God is gracious” · Spanish
#159
Damian Boy
DAY-mee-uhn
“to tame” · Greek
#109
Sebastian Boy
suh-BAS-chuhn
“from Sebaste; venerable” · Latin
#16
Nicholas Boy
NIH-kuh-luhs
“victory of the people” · Greek
#112
Nicolas Boy
NIH-kuh-luhs
“victory of the people” · Greek
#177
Andres Boy
ahn-DREHS
“manly, brave” · Spanish
#200
Rafael Boy
rah-fy-EHL
“God has healed” · Hebrew
#218
Matthias Boy
muh-THY-uhs
“gift of God” · Greek
#372
Stefan Boy
STEH-fahn
“crown, wreath” · Greek
#1,023
Mateo Boy
mah-TAY-oh
“gift of God” · Spanish
#8
Timothy Boy
TIH-muh-thee
“honoring God” · Greek
#203

Lists that include Esteban

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Esteban mean?

Esteban is a Spanish and Greek name that means “crown, garland”.

What is the origin of the name Esteban?

Esteban has Spanish and Greek roots. Esteban is the Spanish form of Stephen, from the Greek Stephanos, meaning crown or garland, the kind of wreath given to victors in ancient contests.

Is Esteban a popular name?

Yes. Esteban ranked #461 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.

Is Esteban a boy or girl name?

Esteban is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.

How do you pronounce Esteban?

Esteban is usually pronounced ehs-TEH-bahn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.

Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings