Stephani
A surname derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "wreath".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 651 Americans carry the last name Stephani. That puts it at #40,016 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.19 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 526,504 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Stephani surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
651
1 in 526,504
Census rank
#40,016
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
548
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 548 bearers of the surname Stephani in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 40016th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Stephani, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Black (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Stephani
The surname Stephani is of German origin, derived from the Greek personal name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "garland." It is believed to have originated in the medieval period, likely as an occupational name for someone who made or sold crowns or garlands.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Stephani can be traced back to the 13th century in Germany. One notable example is Henricus Stephani, a German theologian and philosopher who lived in the 13th century and wrote extensively on logic and metaphysics.
In the 14th century, the name appears in various records and manuscripts throughout Germany and neighboring regions. For instance, Johannes Stephani, a German priest and scholar, was mentioned in a manuscript from the 1360s for his contributions to the study of canon law.
The surname Stephani has also been associated with notable individuals throughout history. In the 16th century, Robert Stephani (1503-1559) was a renowned French printer and scholar who established the Stephanus printing dynasty in Paris. His editions of classical Greek and Latin texts were highly influential during the Renaissance.
Another significant figure was Hendrik Stephani (1590-1650), a Dutch mathematician and astronomer who made important contributions to the study of logarithms and the calculation of planetary orbits.
In the 18th century, Christian Gottlieb Stephani (1761-1826) was a German botanist and naturalist who conducted extensive research on plants and insects, particularly in Russia, where he served as a professor at the University of Moscow.
The surname Stephani has also been linked to various place names, such as Stephansdorf and Stephanshausen, which are villages in Germany. These place names likely derived from the personal name Stephan or Stephanus, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and its origins.
Throughout its history, the surname Stephani has undergone various spelling variations, including Stephani, Stephany, Stephani, and Stephanny, among others. However, the core meaning and connection to the Greek personal name Stephanos have remained consistent.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Stephani
Among Census respondents with the surname Stephani, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Black (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Stephani bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Stephani surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.2%
- Hispanic or Latino3.3%
- Black or African American1.1%
- Two or more races0.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Stephani surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #40,016 | #40,016 | 0.0% |
| Count | 548 | 548 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Stephani bearers went from 548 to 548 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #40,016 to #40,016.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Stephani
FAQ
Stephani surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Stephani?
The surname Stephani holds position #40,016 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 651 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Stephani surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Stephani, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Black (1.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.