Find out how popular the first name Stepan has been for the last 43 years (from 1981 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Stepan by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Stepan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Stepan.

The history of the first name Stepan

The name Stepan has its origins in the Russian and Ukrainian languages, derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which means "crown" or "wreath." It first emerged in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition during the Byzantine era, around the 4th or 5th century AD.

Stepan is a diminutive form of the name Stephen, which was borne by many early Christian saints and martyrs, including St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The name gained popularity in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and Ukraine, where it was widely adopted as a Christian name.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Stepan was Stepan of Perm (1340-1396), a Russian missionary and saint who converted the Komi people of northern Russia to Orthodox Christianity. He is renowned for his work in translating religious texts into the Komi language and for establishing the Eparchy of Perm.

Another notable figure was Stepan Razin (1630-1671), a Cossack rebel leader who led a major peasant uprising against the Russian nobility and the Tsar's regime in the 17th century. His rebellion, though ultimately crushed, was a significant event in Russian history and has been celebrated in folk songs and literature.

In Ukrainian history, Stepan Bandera (1909-1959) was a controversial figure who led the Ukrainian nationalist movement during World War II, seeking independence from Soviet rule. His actions and legacy remain divisive, with some considering him a freedom fighter and others viewing him as a collaborator with Nazi Germany.

Other prominent individuals with the name Stepan include Stepan Khalturin (1857-1882), a Russian revolutionary and member of the Narodnaya Volya (People's Will) movement, and Stepan Shaumyan (1878-1918), a Bolshevik revolutionary and one of the leaders of the Russian Revolution in the Caucasus region.

While the name Stepan has declined in popularity in recent decades, it remains a part of the cultural heritage of Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and Ukraine, where it has been borne by numerous historical figures and continues to be used as a given name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Stepan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Stepan, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!