Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Stephan has Greek origins, meaning 'crown' or 'garland', and evolved through various forms including Stephanos and Stephanus. It is associated with honor and has biblical relevance through Saint Stephen. The name has maintained popularity across cultures and historical periods, with variants like Stephen and Stefan. Today, it is viewed as a classic name and is borne by notable figures in various fields.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈstɛfən/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Stephan derives from the Greek name 'Stephanos', meaning 'crown' or 'garland'. It is often associated with honor and victory.
Meaning
crown, garland
Language Evolution
Stephanos (Greek), Stephanus (Latin), Stefan (German, Scandinavian), Stephan (English)
Biblical Background
The name Stephan is associated with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, making it significant in Christian tradition.
Historical Usage
Stephan gained popularity in the early Christian era, particularly due to the veneration of Saint Stephen. It has remained a common name in various cultures throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Stephen, Stefan, Stefano, Esteban
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Stephan is perceived as a classic, timeless name with a strong historical and cultural background. It is still popular in various countries.
Famous People
Stephen Hawking, Stephen King, Stephan Curry
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 579 peak births in 1989
Geographic Spread
Popular across 46 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (12 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 12 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1312th of 7545 | 489 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 836th of 6773 | 1,046 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 358th of 7552 | 7,958 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 439th of 10718 | 5,495 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 432nd of 16616 | 7,358 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 839th of 24088 | 3,514 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1306th of 23106 | 1,706 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 8510th of 12526 | 27 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6413th of 19264 | 114 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 10447th of 27321 | 88 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
62.29% 882nd/1416 |
44.53% 614th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
34.54% 534th/1546 |
31.68% 493rd/1556 |
- |
42.86% 663rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
12.44% 277th/2227 |
11.23% 273rd/2430 |
19.03% 543rd/2853 |
14.05% 390th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
12.46% 366th/2937 |
9.33% 325th/3483 |
16.00% 563rd/3518 |
11.15% 451st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
9.99% 368th/3685 |
7.55% 338th/4475 |
10.07% 523rd/5194 |
6.87% 434th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
18.77% 860th/4582 |
13.46% 695th/5164 |
13.05% 954th/7313 |
11.64% 869th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
33.94% 1352nd/3984 |
23.62% 1060th/4487 |
20.29% 1384th/6822 |
20.67% 1297th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
62.59% 2202nd/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in New York across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1312th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 836th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 358th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 439th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 432nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 839th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1306th out of 23106 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 8510th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6413th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10447th out of 27321 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.