Stephen is a masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Greek name "Stephanos," which means "crown" or "garland." In the New Testament of the Bible, Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the early Christian church and is considered a saint by various Christian denominations.
The name Stephen has been popular throughout history and has been borne by several notable figures. One of the most famous Stephens was Saint Stephen, who was martyred in Jerusalem around 34 AD. His feast day is celebrated on December 26th.
In literature, Stephen Dedalus is the protagonist of James Joyce's novel "Ulysses." In music, Stephen "Stevie" Wonder is a legendary singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has won numerous Grammy Awards throughout his career.
The name Stephen has been associated with various cultural traditions and celebrations. For example, in England, it is traditional to exchange gifts on St. Stephen's Day, which falls on December 26th. However, these associations are not necessarily linked to the origin or meaning of the name itself.
Overall, Stephens is a strong and classic name that has stood the test of time. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, and it has been carried by numerous notable figures throughout history. Despite its rich history, the name remains popular today and continues to be chosen by parents for their sons.
Statistics on the Given Name Stephens in the United States:
The name Stephens has been given to a total of 391 babies born in the United States between the years 1913 and 1992, according to available data.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can observe that the popularity of this name has fluctuated over time. The highest number of births was recorded in 1953 with 22 newborns named Stephens, followed by 11 births in both 1949 and 1951.
However, there were several years where only a single-digit number of babies received this name. For instance, in the year 1989, only 5 children were given the name Stephens. This pattern was consistent throughout most of the 1980s and into the early 1990s.
It's interesting to note that there were also years where no babies at all were named Stephens. For example, from 1963 to 1967, there were no recorded births with this name each year.
This data suggests that while Stephens was not a very popular given name in the United States during this period, it still held some level of significance as it was consistently chosen for a small number of babies annually.