Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Steven originates from the Greek 'Stephanos', meaning 'crown'. It has evolved through various forms in different languages and is associated with honor and victory. The biblical relevance comes from Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The name has maintained popularity since the Middle Ages and is considered classic today, often linked with strong and reliable traits.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈstiːvən/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Steven is derived from the Greek name 'Stephanos', which means 'crown' or 'wreath'. It is often associated with the idea of victory or honor.
Meaning
crown
Language Evolution
Stephanos (Greek), Stephanus (Latin), Steven (Old English)
Biblical Background
The name Steven is often associated with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who is mentioned in the New Testament.
Historical Usage
The name Steven gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages, particularly after the Norman Conquest, and has remained a common name since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Stephen, Stefan, Stefano, Stef
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Steven is viewed as a classic and timeless name, often associated with reliability and strength.
Famous People
Steven Spielberg, Steven Hawking, Steven Tyler, Steven King
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 38,488 peak births in 1956
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
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 (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 | 290th of 7545 | 5,819 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 119th of 6773 | 28,376 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 12th of 7552 | 547,831 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 19th of 10718 | 338,749 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 28th of 16616 | 258,085 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 77th of 24088 | 88,365 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 197th of 23106 | 24,221 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5006th of 9204 | 55 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1341st of 12526 | 1,127 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1111th of 19264 | 1,734 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1646th of 27321 | 1,353 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8991st of 35406 | 186 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 26286th of 30306 | 10 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
19.99% 283rd/1416 |
11.60% 160th/1379 |
30.39% 719th/2366 |
27.23% 311th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
6.73% 104th/1546 |
5.27% 82nd/1556 |
11.30% 266th/2353 |
4.59% 71st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
0.45% 10th/2227 |
0.58% 14th/2430 |
0.70% 20th/2853 |
0.32% 9th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
0.54% 16th/2937 |
0.60% 21st/3483 |
0.54% 19th/3518 |
0.35% 14th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.87% 32nd/3685 |
0.51% 23rd/4475 |
0.54% 28th/5194 |
0.43% 27th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
2.05% 94th/4582 |
1.16% 60th/5164 |
1.03% 75th/7313 |
1.02% 76th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
5.85% 233rd/3984 |
3.21% 144th/4487 |
2.81% 192nd/6822 |
2.95% 185th/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) |
53.70% 1196th/2227 |
51.44% 1250th/2430 |
68.17% 1945th/2853 |
47.68% 1323rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
32.48% 954th/2937 |
35.75% 1245th/3483 |
41.25% 1451st/3518 |
28.64% 1158th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
44.59% 1643rd/3685 |
35.06% 1569th/4475 |
37.04% 1924th/5194 |
26.59% 1680th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
75.58% 5527th/7313 |
76.74% 5727th/7463 |
| 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 Rhode Island across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too rising for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too rising for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 290th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 119th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 12th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 19th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 28th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 77th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 197th out of 23106 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5006th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1341st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1111th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1646th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8991st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 26286th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.