Stephen
Stephen first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1952, when 23,055 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 829.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Stephen popular?
Declining Stephen is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1952 peak.
| 2020s | 5,498 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 14,422 | |
| 2000s | 28,902 | |
| 1990s | 75,160 | |
| 1980s | 113,631 | |
| 1970s | 107,804 | |
| 1960s | 152,240 | |
| 1950s | 207,276 | |
| 1940s | 106,812 | |
| 1930s | 18,272 | |
| 1920s | 15,556 | |
| 1910s | 13,502 | |
| 1900s | 2,247 | |
| 1890s | 1,733 | |
| 1880s | 1,684 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Stephen mean?
Stephen is from the Greek Stephanos, “crown, garland.” St Stephen was the first Christian martyr; the name has since been carried by medieval kings and by the physicist Stephen Hawking.
Nicknames for Stephen
- Steve
- Steph
- Stevie
Variants & spellings
- Steven
- Stefan
- Stephan
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Stephen a boy or a girl name?
Stephen is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Stephen a popular name right now?
Stephen is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1952 peak.
How popular is the name Stephen?
In 2025, Stephen ranked #383 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Stephen most popular?
Stephen was most popular in 1952, when about 23,055 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Stephen?
Common nicknames for Stephen include Steve, Steph, Stevie.