Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Stephen
BoyGreek· “crown, wreath”
- Meaning
- crown, wreath
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- STEE-vuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #383
- US babies 2025
- 829
- Best rank
- #19 (1949)
- Peak year
- 1952
Meaning and origin of Stephen
Stephen is a Greek name that means “crown, wreath”.
Stephen comes from the Greek Stephanos, meaning crown or wreath, the kind of garland given to victors in ancient contests. In the Book of Acts, Stephen is the first Christian martyr, and his feast day is celebrated just after Christmas. The name spread widely in medieval Europe and was borne by King Stephen of England and by Saint Stephen of Hungary, the country's first king. Stephen remains a timeless classic, with nicknames such as Steve and Stevie. Steven is a common spelling that reflects the usual pronunciation.
Other spellings with the same sound: Steven.
Popularity over time
Stephen has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #19 in 1949, and the most babies received it in 1952, when 23,055 were named Stephen. In 2025, 829 babies were named Stephen, and it ranked #383 nationally. That is 45% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #96 in 1920, #19 in 1950, #40 in 1980, #95 in 2000, #201 in 2010, and #383 in 2025. Of the 864,739 US boys named Stephen since records began, 24% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 152,240 babies. Since 2010, 19,920 more have been named Stephen.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Dennis, Roger, Lawrence, Gary, and Thomas.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Stephen ranked highest in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Mississippi.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #200 | 64 |
| West Virginia | #248 | 8 |
| Mississippi | #256 | 13 |
| Connecticut | #277 | 12 |
| Maryland | #283 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Stephen is usually pronounced STEE-vuhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with S and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Steven.
Middle names for Stephen
A few middle names that flow with Stephen: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Stephen
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Lists that include Stephen
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stephen mean?
Stephen is a Greek name that means “crown, wreath”.
What is the origin of the name Stephen?
Stephen has Greek roots. Stephen comes from the Greek Stephanos, meaning crown or wreath, the kind of garland given to victors in ancient contests.
Is Stephen a popular name?
Yes. Stephen ranked #383 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Stephen a boy or girl name?
Stephen is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Stephen?
Stephen is usually pronounced STEE-vuhn. 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