color Tags: Saint Stephen, Stephen View |
Stephen or Steven (pron-en?sti?v?n) is an English (English language) masculine first name (given name), derived from the Greek (Greek language) name ???????? (Stephanos) meaning "crown, garland", in turn from the Greek word ???????? (wreath, crown, honour, reward). The use of the noun was first recorded in Homers Iliad. The name is significant to Christians (Christianity): according to the Book of Acts in the New Testament, Saint Stephen was a deacon who was stoned to death and is regarded as the first Christian martyr. The name has many variants, which include Stephan, Stevan, Stefan, and Stevon.
In Middle English, the name Stephen or Stephan was pronounced as a bi-syllabic word ? Step-hen or Step-han ? much like a Scandinavian surname. Steve was pronounced as it is in Modern English. This etymological usage has fallen out of practice in the last 150 years.
Steve is the common short form and various diminutives such as Stevie are also used. Many family names are derived from Stephen: the most common are Stephens/Stevens and Stephenson/Stevenson (others include Stephen, Stephan, Stefan, Stevin, and Stever).
The female version of the name is Stephanie.
For Stephen as a surname see Stephen (surname), Stephenson and Stevenson.
Origin: Greek (Greek language)
Gender: Male
Meaning: wreath, crown (wikt:Crown)