name
Common
Stephen
STEE-vuhn
Stephen (name) means a male given name of Greek origin, meaning "crown.". Example: “Stephen was named after his grandfather.”
name
1
A male given name of Greek origin, meaning "crown."
"Even in her fourteenth year Miss Stephen Norman gave promise of striking beauty; beauty of a rarely composite character."
— Bram Stoker, The Man (1905)
"Stephen was named after his grandfather."
"As part of the listing, the company is seeking to create a third class of shares that would give Thiel, Karp and fellow cofounder Stephen Cohen “49.999999%” of the total voting power."
— Sara Ashley O'Brien and Rachel Metz, Palantir files paperwork to go public and reveals it has never turned a profit (2020)
"I thought that ideally it should be a name which could work whether he was serious and reserved or butch, a name like Stephen which could be Steve or David which could be Dave."
— Helen DeWitt, The Last Samurai (2000)
How to use Stephen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA classic English male name meaning "crowned," historically also the name of Christianity's first martyr.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Stephen.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ was named after his grandfather.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek Stéphanos, meaning "crown" or "wreath," via Latin Stephanus.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “Stephen” mean?
The word “Stephen” means a male given name of Greek origin, meaning "crown.". In plain terms, a classic English male name meaning "crowned," historically also the name of Christianity's first martyr.
How do you pronounce “Stephen”?
“Stephen” is pronounced STEE-vuhn (/ˈstiːvən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Stephen” in a sentence?
Here is “Stephen” used in a sentence: “Stephen was named after his grandfather.”
What part of speech is “Stephen”?
“Stephen” is a name.
Where does the word “Stephen” come from?
The word “Stephen” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek Stéphanos, meaning "crown" or "wreath," via Latin Stephanus.
Is “Stephen” a common word?
“Stephen” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does the name Stephen mean?
Stephen comes from the ancient Greek name Stephanos, meaning 'crown,' 'wreath,' or 'garland' — the victor's crown awarded in classical times. It carries connotations of honor and triumph. The name spread widely through Christianity and remains popular across the English-speaking world in both its 'Stephen' and 'Steven' spellings.
What is the difference between Stephen and Steven?
They're the same name with two spellings. 'Stephen,' with a 'ph,' is the traditional form closest to the original Greek and is usually pronounced 'STEE-vun.' 'Steven,' with a 'v,' is a later phonetic spelling that matches how the name sounds. Both are common; the choice is simply a matter of preference.
Is Stephen a religious name?
It has strong Christian associations. Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr, remembered on December 26, known in some countries as Boxing Day. Because of this, the name has been popular in Christian families for centuries. It isn't exclusively religious, though — many people choose it simply for its history and classic sound.
What are common nicknames for Stephen?
The most common short form is 'Steve.' Others include 'Ste' or 'Stevie,' and occasionally 'Steph,' though that's more often linked to Stephanie. These friendly forms are used interchangeably with the full name, which tends to appear in formal settings like documents, introductions, or professional life.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Stephen:
