Find out how popular the first name Steven has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Steven by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Steven is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Steven being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,387 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Steven.

The history of the first name Steven

The name Steven has its origins in the Greek language and culture. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which means "crown" or "garland." The name Stephanos itself is believed to have derived from the Greek word "stephein," meaning "to crown" or "to encircle."

During the early Christian era, the name Stephanos was borne by Saint Stephen, who is regarded as the first Christian martyr. The Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament mentions Stephen, who was stoned to death for his faith in Jesus Christ around the year 35 AD. This association with an early Christian figure contributed to the widespread adoption of the name in various forms across Europe.

The name evolved into different spellings and pronunciations in different languages. In English, the name took the form of Steven, while in other languages, it became Étienne (French), Stefano (Italian), Esteban (Spanish), and Stefan (German and Slavic languages).

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Steven dates back to the 12th century. Steven of Blois, also known as Stephen of Blois, was a renowned crusader and the King of England from 1135 to 1154. He played a significant role in the conflict known as "The Anarchy" during the civil war between himself and the Empress Matilda over the English throne.

Another notable figure in history with the name Steven was Steven Girard, a French-born American philanthropist and banker who lived from 1750 to 1831. He amassed a considerable fortune through shipping and banking and is remembered for his philanthropic contributions, particularly in the field of education.

Saint Stephen Harding, an English monk who lived from around 1059 to 1134, was instrumental in the establishment of the Cistercian Order, a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns. He is remembered as one of the founders of the Order and played a crucial role in its early development.

Steven Runciman, a British historian and author, lived from 1903 to 2000. He is best known for his three-volume work, "A History of the Crusades," which is widely regarded as a seminal work on the Crusades and their impact on the medieval world.

Steven Spielberg, the renowned American filmmaker, director, and producer, was born in 1946. He has had an illustrious career spanning decades and has directed and produced numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, such as "Jaws," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Schindler's List," and "Saving Private Ryan," among others.

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 Steven was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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