Stephan
Ultimately from Ancient Greek στεφανίζω (stephanízō, “to crown”) & Ancient Greek στέφανος (stéphanos, “that which surrounds, crown, wreath”).
Every Stephan since 1895 — 27,910 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Stephan
Stephan is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,850 in 2025 with 86 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1895, 27,910 American babies have been named Stephan. Its peak came in 1989, when 579 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Stephan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Stephan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 86 | #1,850 |
| 2024 | — | — | 97 | #1,719 |
| 2023 | — | — | 115 | #1,536 |
| 2022 | — | — | 116 | #1,550 |
| 2021 | — | — | 132 | #1,394 |
| 2020 | — | — | 153 | #1,231 |
| 2019 | — | — | 149 | #1,264 |
| 2018 | — | — | 143 | #1,290 |
| 2017 | — | — | 142 | #1,284 |
| 2016 | — | — | 175 | #1,119 |
| 2015 | — | — | 166 | #1,140 |
| 2014 | — | — | 160 | #1,172 |
| 2013 | — | — | 161 | #1,134 |
| 2012 | — | — | 142 | #1,247 |
| 2011 | — | — | 166 | #1,114 |
| 2010 | — | — | 162 | #1,148 |
| 2009 | — | — | 164 | #1,130 |
| 2008 | — | — | 162 | #1,132 |
| 2007 | — | — | 192 | #1,011 |
| 2006 | — | — | 193 | #969 |
| 2005 | — | — | 200 | #901 |
| 2004 | — | — | 205 | #861 |
| 2003 | — | — | 216 | #808 |
| 2002 | — | — | 228 | #758 |
| 2001 | — | — | 238 | #733 |
| 2000 | — | — | 242 | #721 |
| 1995 | 8 | #10,403 | 467 | #470 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14,971 | 570 | #406 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7,483 | 459 | #393 |
| 1980 | — | — | 303 | #485 |
| 1975 | 5 | #10,373 | 282 | #477 |
| 1970 | 11 | #5,019 | 411 | #395 |
| 1965 | 6 | #6,436 | 405 | #388 |
| 1960 | — | — | 418 | #387 |
| 1955 | — | — | 493 | #333 |
| 1950 | — | — | 412 | #332 |
| 1945 | — | — | 154 | #487 |
| 1940 | — | — | 67 | #756 |
| 1935 | — | — | 26 | #1,349 |
| 1930 | — | — | 18 | #1,811 |
| 1925 | — | — | 25 | #1,531 |
| 1920 | — | — | 26 | #1,498 |
| 1915 | — | — | 39 | #1,035 |
| 1910 | — | — | 13 | #922 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | 5 | #1,221 |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Stephan
- Stephan Endlicher Biologist · 1804–1849
- Stephan Burián von Rajecz Politician · 1851–1922
- Stephan Lichtsteiner Soccer player · b. 1984
- Stephan Beckenbauer Soccer player · 1968–2015
- Stephan Weil Politician · b. 1958
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stephan mean?
Ultimately from Ancient Greek στεφανίζω (stephanízō, “to crown”) & Ancient Greek στέφανος (stéphanos, “that which surrounds, crown, wreath”).
How popular is the name Stephan in 2025?
Stephan ranked #1,850 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 86 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Stephan?
27,910 babies have been named Stephan in the United States since 1895, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Stephan most popular?
Stephan peaked in 1989, when 579 newborns received the name.
Is Stephan a boy or girl name?
Stephan is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Stephan rising or falling?
Stephan is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Stephan?
Well-known people named Stephan include Stephan Endlicher (biologist), Stephan Burián von Rajecz (politician), Stephan Lichtsteiner (soccer player).