Stephen
How to say it: STEE-vun · /ˈstivən/
From Greek 'Stephanos', meaning 'crown' or 'wreath'; borne by the first Christian martyr.
Stephen was the 187th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 829 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1950s, its births are down about 50% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #255 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #187 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 829 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,586 |
| Peak decade | 1950s |
| Change over 10 years | −50% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #255 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,110 among boys’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once a midcentury staple, Stephen reached its height in the 1950s. Today far below that high at #187, more decline looks likely.
What goes with it
Gentle in sound with a breathy close, Stephen carries a biblical heritage. Steve remains a familiar short form and Thomas shares its style.
Middle names that flow with Stephen →
Nicknames
- Steve
- Stevie
Honouring a Stephen in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Stephen is about 1 in 67.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Greek.
In France: #1,110 for boys in 2025.
Ireland: #242.
Famous people named Stephen
- Stephen King (born 1947)American novelist and writer
- Stephen Hawking (1942–2018)British theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author
- Stephen Harper (born 1959)22nd prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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