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Steven Name Meaning, Origins & History

Steven

Pronunciation: STEE-vun

Meaning Crown or garland Origin Ancient Greek Gender Boy
BOYS RANK
#271
TREND
2
Peak Years
1956, 1955, 1957
Lowest Years
1894, 1883, 1889
Energy Archetype
Original & Spiritually Intense

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Steven in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Steven

  • An all-time favorite: U.S. records show 1,293,112 boys named Steven from 1880 through 2025.
  • Decades of popularity: Steven stayed in the U.S. top 100 for 67 consecutive years, from 1941 through 2007.
  • More than 1 million babies named Steven: U.S. records list 1,297,577 babies given the name Steven from 1880 through 2025. Even 4,465 girls received the name Steven - about 1 girl for every 290 boys.

What Does the Name Steven Mean?

Steven is an English variant of Stephen, a name derived from the Greek στέφανος (stephanos), meaning "crown," "wreath," or "garland." The Greek word referred to a wreath worn as a mark of honor or victory. Latin adopted the name as Stephanus, and Old French as Estienne; the English forms Stephen and Steven come from that line. The literal meaning is the physical crown or wreath. In Christian usage, the image was also given a symbolic sense, especially the crown of martyrdom or eternal life, but that is a later religious interpretation rather than the name's basic etymology.

Steven Name History & Origins

The name reached English through Latin and French. In the New Testament, Saint Stephen is a leader of the early church in Jerusalem whose story appears in the Acts of the Apostles; he is traditionally regarded as the first Christian martyr. His Greek name Stephanos became Stephanus in Latin. The name was kept alive in medieval Europe through the veneration of Saint Stephen, whose feast day is December 26. In medieval England it appeared in forms such as Stephen and Steven. King Stephen of England, who reigned in the 12th century, bore the name. The spelling Steven is an English variant of Stephen rather than a separate name with a different origin; it writes the consonant sound usually represented by ph in Stephen with a v. The familiar short form is Steve.

How Popular is the Name Steven?

Steven remained among the top 100 boy names in the U.S. from 1941 to 2007. Its highest annual birth count was in 1956, and people born that year turn 70 in 2026.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

Famous People Named Steven

Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Weinberg
Steven Weinberg

Explore Name Lists Featuring Steven

Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.

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How the Name Steven Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are spiritually intense and can sting or charm. Your name brings love and new starts into life and attracts money. In business, you are the creator and promoter of original ideas and usually enjoy considerable financial success. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.

Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.

✦ Steven's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Steven's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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