Stephen is a masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Latin name Stephanus, which means "crown" or "garland". The name Stephen has been popular throughout history and has been borne by many notable figures.
The name first appeared in England during the Middle Ages, when it was introduced by returning Crusaders who had encountered it in the Eastern Mediterranean. It became more common after being used by several English saints, including Saint Stephen, the Protomartyr, who was stoned to death for his faith and is considered one of the most important saints in Christianity.
Stephen has been a popular name in many cultures throughout history, not just in England. In Wales, it is often spelled Steffan or Stefan, while in Ireland, it is sometimes anglicized to Stephen. The name has also been used in other languages, such as French (Étienne) and German (Stefan).
In literature, some notable bearers of the name Stephen include Stephen Dedalus, the protagonist of James Joyce's novel "Ulysses", and Stephen King, the famous American author known for his horror novels. In popular culture, Stephen Colbert is a well-known comedian and political commentator who has been a prominent figure on American television.
Overall, Stephen is a classic masculine name with a rich history and meaning that continues to be popular today.
The name Stephen has seen a varied trend over the years with regard to its popularity at birth. Between 1912 and 1930, the number of births was consistently low, ranging from 5 to 16 per year, with a notable spike in 1942 with 23 births. From 1943 onwards, there's an increase in popularity, reaching a peak in 1985 with 97 births. However, this trend starts declining from the late 1980s, dropping significantly by the early 1990s, and continuing to decrease until the early 2000s. The name Stephen experienced its most recent popularity in the years 2002 and 2004 with 10 births each year. Overall, there have been a total of 2930 births named Stephen between 1912 and 2007.