Stephen

Stephen comes from the Greek name Στέφανος (Stephanos), meaning “crown” or “wreath,” more precisely “that which surrounds.” It became widespread in the Christian world through Saint Stephen, the deacon stoned to death in Acts, who is regarded as the first Christian martyr, and was later popularized in England by the Normans. The name was borne by kings of England, Serbia, and Poland, as well as ten popes, and by the first Christian king of Hungary in the 11th century, who is now venerated as that country’s patron saint. Notable modern bearers include the British physicist Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) and the American author Stephen King (1947–).

Stephen moved from #375 to #383 for boys between 2024 and 2025. Its highest annual birth count came in 1952, with 23,055 births.