Boy · 51st of 7,552
Steve
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
242,029
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
11,094
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Steve stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Steve is a diminutive of Stephen, rooted in the Greek word 'Stephanos', meaning crown or garland. The name has evolved through various languages and forms. It gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the U.S., and is associated with positive traits. There is no specific biblical background associated with the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/stiːv/
Origin
English
Etymology
Steve is a diminutive form of the name Stephen, which originates from the Greek name 'Stephanos', meaning 'crown' or 'garland'.
Meaning
crown, garland
Language Evolution
Stephen (Greek: Stephanos), Stefan (Latin), Stefano (Italian), Stef (Dutch), Steve (English)
Historical Usage
The name Steve became popular in the English-speaking world in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Stephen, Stefan, Stef, Stevie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Steve is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with creativity and innovation due to famous figures bearing the name.
Famous People
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Steve Martin, Steve Carell
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 11,094 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 129th of 7545 | 20,348 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 130th of 6773 | 25,100 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 51st of 7552 | 130,720 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 122nd of 10718 | 38,554 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 261st of 16616 | 14,906 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 506th of 24088 | 7,925 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1146th of 23106 | 2,060 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4096th of 9107 | 88 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3759th of 9204 | 107 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2587th of 12526 | 363 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4226th of 19264 | 224 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8745th of 27321 | 120 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 35406th of 35406 | 5 |