Stephen Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Stephen is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Stephen?
Stephen is spelled S-T-E-P-H-E-N. The name has 7 letters.
Stephen at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Stephen derives from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning “crown” or “wreath.”
- Origin
- Stephen is commonly associated with the Greek name Stephanos, which was used in ancient Greece and early Christian contexts.
- Pronunciation
- STE-fən · 2 syllables
Stephen Popularity in 2025
Rank#383
Recorded Births829
- Boys usage fell 9 places to #383 and recorded 41 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Stephen Mean?
Stephen derives from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning “crown” or “wreath.”
Origin: Stephen is commonly associated with the Greek name Stephanos, which was used in ancient Greece and early Christian contexts.
How Do You Pronounce Stephen?
PronunciationSTE-fən
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Stephen?
- History
- The name Stephen has been used historically in various Christian cultures, appearing in early Christian texts and continuing in use across centuries.
Stephen Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2004 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 829 | #383 |
| 2024 | Boys | 870 | #374 |
| 2023 | Boys | 898 | #363 |
| 2022 | Boys | 919 | #358 |
| 2021 | Boys | 958 | #339 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,024 | #322 |
| 2019 | Boys | 1,095 | #310 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,246 | #283 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,334 | #270 |
| 2016 | Boys | 1,379 | #265 |
| 2015 | Boys | 1,497 | #246 |
| 2014 | Boys | 1,452 | #257 |
| 2013 | Boys | 1,452 | #252 |
| 2012 | Boys | 1,568 | #225 |
| 2011 | Boys | 1,579 | #228 |
| 2010 | Boys | 1,820 | #201 |
| 2009 | Boys | 1,920 | #199 |
| 2008 | Boys | 2,092 | #191 |
| 2007 | Girls | 6 | #15,491 |
| 2007 | Boys | 2,376 | #172 |
| 2006 | Boys | 2,552 | #164 |
| 2005 | Girls | 9 | #10,921 |
| 2005 | Boys | 2,745 | #143 |
| 2004 | Girls | 10 | #9,892 |
When Was Stephen Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1952 · Boys
23,055 recorded births
National rank #21
1951 · Boys
22,474 recorded births
National rank #19
1955 · Boys
22,155 recorded births
National rank #21
1954 · Boys
21,878 recorded births
National rank #20
Where Stephen Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| PA | #196 | 64 |
| WV | #227 | 8 |
| MS | #239 | 13 |
| MD | #268 | 20 |
| CT | #268 | 12 |
| MA | #274 | 21 |
| VA | #316 | 26 |
| NY | #330 | 54 |