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Stephen as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Stephen

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The baby name Stephen is a Boy name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced STEE-vən.

Stephen is English, Greek in Origin.

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Origin: English, Greek
Pronunciation: STEE-vən

What is the meaning of the name Stephen ?

The baby name Stephen is a boy name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced STEE-vən.

Stephen is English, Greek in Origin.

Stephen is the English form of Greek Stéphanos, written Στέφανος, a personal name already attested in antiquity. Its root is the common Greek noun stéphanos, a wreath or crown, built from the verb stéphein, to encircle or wreathe. The literal sense is therefore a circlet placed around the head, later extended to honor, victory, or reward.

Christian use rests chiefly on Saint Stephen, the deacon in Acts regarded as the first martyr, which helped carry the name through Greek, Latin, and medieval European churches. The Normans strengthened its use in England, where Stephen became the standard historical spelling beside Steven. Cognate forms include Stefan, Étienne, Esteban, Stefano, István, Ștefan, Stjepan, Stepan, and Štěpán. In Britain and the United States it peaked in the mid-twentieth century and has since declined.

Stephen has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Stephen

Stephen King Actor · Born 1947 · United States Stephen King is a famous author from the United States, born in 1947. He is best known for his horror novels, including 'The Shining', 'It', and 'Carrie', which have captivated readers and inspired numerous film adaptations. Stephen Harper Politician · Born 1959 · Canada Stephen Harper is a Canadian politician who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. He is known for his leadership of the Conservative Party and his role in shaping Canadian economic policy during his tenure. Harper also authored the book 'Right Here, Right Now: Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption'. Stephen Hillenburg Actor · Born 1961 · United States Stephen Hillenburg was an American animator best known for creating the beloved animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The show became a cultural phenomenon, delighting audiences with its quirky characters and humor. Hillenburg's work has left a lasting impact on animation and pop culture.
Stephen I of Hungary Royal · Born 975 · Hungary Stephen I of Hungary, also known as Saint Stephen, is most famous for being the first King of Hungary. He played a crucial role in establishing Christianity as the state religion and organizing the kingdom's administration. His reign marked the beginning of a Christian monarchy in Hungary, which had a lasting impact on the country's history. Stephen, King of England Royal · Born 1095 · Kingdom of England Stephen, King of England, is most famous for his tumultuous reign during the period known as The Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin Empress Matilda over the English throne. Born in 1095, he ruled from 1135 until his death in 1154, navigating a kingdom fraught with conflict and instability. Stephen Fry Actor · Born 1957 · Austria Stephen Fry is a British actor, comedian, and writer, best known for his work in the comedy duo Fry and Laurie alongside Hugh Laurie. He has also appeared in films such as 'Wilde' and 'V for Vendetta', and is the author of several books including 'The Liar' and 'Moab Is My Washpot'.

Stephen – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2025 #1 — 836
GH Boys 0 #15 3,614 8,138
BW 0 #18 2 960
GH 0 #19 601 5,396
MT Boys 0 #19 338 4,064
KR Boys 0 #25 3 897
NA 0 #28 6 2,537
MT 0 #29 15 1,767
BN 0 #32 1 2,297
HT Boys 0 #34 1 903
MO 0 #34 19 2,706
ID 0 #35 5 2,238
NG Boys 0 #38 11,125 16,906
NG 0 #41 311 5,926
HK Boys 0 #47 3,133 12,905
CM 0 #51 6 2,592
CY 0 #56 5 1,632
CN 0 #58 28 3,857
HK 0 #61 491 8,483
JP 0 #62 16 4,057
JM 0 #63 25 3,714
MV Boys 0 #66 12 3,375
CN Boys 0 #67 440 9,639
IN 0 #68 4 2,963
BW Boys 0 #70 84 4,685
PH 0 #71 26 5,607
QA 0 #76 25 7,011
MD Boys 0 #81 1 756
TW 0 #85 16 4,523
LT 0 #88 1 949
MO Boys 0 #91 157 5,842
OM 0 #91 26 6,215
SD 0 #98 5 2,130
ZA Boys 0 #99 5,737 25,619
ZA 0 #99 457 14,421
JM Boys 0 #100 250 6,876
CY Boys 0 #105 25 3,473
TW Boys 0 #108 161 7,111
BN Boys 0 #109 25 6,332
HU 0 #114 2 1,675
ID Boys 0 #116 16 4,130
KW 0 #116 6 5,216
CR 0 #121 38 5,526
PH Boys 0 #124 360 11,440
CY Girls 0 #125 1 3,755
EE Boys 0 #125 1 2,087
AE 0 #129 49 10,220
Norway Boys 2001 #131 5 476
IQ 0 #133 1 3,533
GR 0 #134 2 3,911
MU 0 #135 3 3,613
PA 0 #135 4 3,797
JO 0 #140 1 2,158
BW Girls 0 #149 3 4,216
LT Boys 0 #151 1 2,166
MT Girls 0 #152 2 3,773
SG 0 #152 123 11,010
RS Boys 0 #153 2 2,277
HU Boys 0 #156 19 3,954
SG Boys 0 #162 1,043 17,960
PR Boys 0 #165 10 2,508
NA Boys 0 #167 69 6,830
PR Girls 0 #167 1 3,171
Sweden Boys 2020 #176 2 1,548
CZ 0 #182 5 3,154
UY 0 #182 1 2,477
DK 0 #189 15 5,198
AR 0 #193 1 2,915
RU 0 #193 2 3,641
LU Boys 0 #194 25 4,970
SD Boys 0 #197 324 10,523
PL 0 #206 7 2,600
PS 0 #207 12 5,692
SI Boys 0 #208 4 3,402
BG Boys 0 #214 7 3,850
AO Girls 0 #217 1 4,575
BD 0 #218 10 5,992
Belgium Boys 2001 #220 20 417
MY 0 #221 115 12,352
IR 0 #228 4 4,221
MY Boys 0 #229 2,001 25,439
JP Boys 0 #230 68 7,909
AO Boys 0 #232 11 5,568
NA Girls 0 #236 2 7,146
GR Boys 0 #242 26 6,912
EC Boys 0 #243 4 3,322
PT 0 #247 4 4,161
SA 0 #250 46 10,560
JP Girls 0 #251 1 6,592
DK Boys 0 #253 73 7,401
HR Boys 0 #255 5 3,997
GH Girls 0 #256 69 6,973
MO Girls 0 #261 3 7,056
Canada Boys 2024 #262 45 2,588
IL 0 #263 12 6,291
AF Boys 0 #272 3 3,535
JM Girls 0 #278 1 7,507
CM Boys 0 #281 354 12,054
CR Boys 0 #284 244 10,188
TW Girls 0 #286 4 8,139
MU Boys 0 #289 69 8,477
KZ Boys 0 #292 5 6,578
CZ Boys 0 #293 12 6,530
AL Boys 0 #301 3 5,122
PL Boys 0 #324 12 6,459
PT Boys 0 #325 43 7,951
PE 0 #327 3 6,350
DK Girls 0 #329 1 7,429
KZ Girls 0 #332 1 5,862
QA Boys 0 #332 431 18,093
SD Girls 0 #334 12 7,678
GT 0 #338 1 5,948
QA Girls 0 #341 3 15,378
United States Boys 2024 #343 864 7,044
NL 0 #343 49 2,481
CN Girls 0 #352 8 8,829
BR 0 #360 1 5,969
MU Girls 0 #362 1 8,539
PL Girls 0 #364 1 5,096
France Boys 2021 #374 14 2,865
NG Girls 0 #380 570 15,093
JO Boys 0 #385 5 7,057
Finland Boys 0 #386 42 2,041
UY Boys 0 #390 10 5,922
YE 0 #393 6 8,639
Germany 0 #394 44 2,542
Austria Boys 0 #397 46 2,180
Spain 0 #397 56 2,326
BD Girls 0 #405 2 8,413
BO 0 #406 3 6,868
EG 0 #410 3 6,387
BH 0 #414 140 17,937
OM Girls 0 #419 6 15,987
LY 0 #426 111 12,703
PH Girls 0 #426 4 13,098
CL 0 #430 5 6,867
PA Boys 0 #443 39 9,305
GT Boys 0 #453 22 7,625
RU Boys 0 #467 39 12,621
CO 0 #471 10 7,768
AR Boys 0 #475 9 7,628
NL Boys 0 #475 604 5,873
AE Boys 0 #495 800 22,615
KW Boys 0 #497 282 18,755
PS Boys 0 #497 52 10,655
KW Girls 0 #505 11 19,177
OM Boys 0 #506 421 17,948
RU Girls 0 #521 3 11,913
BD Boys 0 #523 54 10,045
IQ Girls 0 #525 1 11,303
CM Girls 0 #528 13 11,671
AE Girls 0 #534 20 20,968
IR Boys 0 #540 13 10,162
IR Girls 0 #545 1 8,334
PS Girls 0 #547 1 10,981
IL Boys 0 #553 55 10,983
Germany Boys 0 #561 458 5,697
SG Girls 0 #571 16 18,916
BO Boys 0 #575 18 9,244
Spain Boys 0 #577 393 5,610
Finland Boys 2026 #578 105 3,552
CL Boys 0 #598 68 13,390
HK Girls 0 #604 12 16,104
IQ Boys 0 #628 40 13,071
IL Girls 0 #645 1 11,648
LB 0 #646 13 13,263
IT 0 #648 67 4,183
IN Girls 0 #653 2 13,121
IT Boys 0 #731 917 10,046
IN Boys 0 #739 273 16,750
BR Boys 0 #741 11 12,213
SY 0 #765 3 11,684
EG Boys 0 #773 114 15,035
CO Boys 0 #776 145 15,656
TN 0 #801 29 13,765
PE Boys 0 #811 68 14,506
SA Girls 0 #888 48 25,931
SA Boys 0 #900 868 28,008
CL Girls 0 #914 2 14,098
MX Boys 0 #923 60 16,355
United States Girls 2007 #951 6 10,181
MY Girls 0 #967 28 24,821
EG Girls 0 #1,006 4 14,742
PE Girls 0 #1,010 1 14,861
MA 0 #1,048 81 20,986
ZA Girls 0 #1,059 83 25,928
DZ 0 #1,131 46 20,130
TR 0 #1,131 81 19,440
CO Girls 0 #1,149 4 16,140
IT Girls 0 #1,433 14 9,415

Stephen is popular in 90 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Ireland
Scotland, United Kingdom
Norway
Canada

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Stephen

Stephen is a unisex name, given to both boys and girls.
Stephen is a 2 syllable name, pronounced STEE-vən.
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Steven, Stephan, Stephanos, Stephanus, Stefan and Stepan.
Yes, very popular — Stephen ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 9 countries.
Stephen ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Yes — 26 notable people named Stephen are in our database, including Stephen King (Actor), Stephen Harper (Politician), Stephen Hillenburg (Actor).