Stephen is of Greek origin, meaning 'crown' or 'garland'. It was borne by early saints and martyrs, including Saint Stephen, who was the first Christian martyr. The name was popular among medieval European royalty, with notable bearers including several English kings and a Scottish one. In literature, it's associated with characters like Stephen Dedalus in James Joyce's 'Ulysses'. Today, Stephen remains a classic choice, ranking consistently among the top 1000 names in many English-speaking countries.
"Over three decades, Stephen has had a total of 63 children born, with the highest number of births occurring in 1984."