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Steve Boy

Popularity: #825 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationsteev / stiːv

English; Greek

Meaning

English: crowned; Greek: garland, crown

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Steve is derived from the Greek name "Stephanos," which means "crown" or "garland." This name was formed from the Greek word "stephanos," which has roots in the verb "stephō," meaning "to crown" or "to encircle." The name entered the Latin language as "Stephanus," and subsequently made its way into Old French as "Estienne" before being adopted into English as "Stephen." The diminutive form "Steve" emerged as a familiar or affectionate variant of Stephen, particularly in the English-speaking world.

Historically, the name Stephen gained prominence due to its association with Saint Stephen, who is recognized as the first Christian martyr. His story is recounted in the New Testament, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles, where he is stoned to death for his faith, a significant event in early Christian history. The veneration of Saint Stephen led to the establishment of his feast day on December 26, which has been observed since at least the 4th century. The name was further popularized in medieval England, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when it became common among the nobility and clergy.

Culturally, the name Steve and its variants have been associated with qualities of honor and leadership, reflecting the connotations of victory and achievement inherent in its meaning of "crown." The name has been borne by various notable figures throughout history, including kings and scholars, which has contributed to its enduring presence in Western culture. The name's simplicity and strong phonetic structure have made it a lasting choice across generations, while its diminutive form, Steve, has often been used in informal contexts, emphasizing familiarity and approachability.

Trend Summary

Steve has seen a decline in popularity in the United States since the 1980s.

Similar Names

EvanKevinTrevorSimonStevenSethStuartStanleySpencer

Variants

  • Stephen
  • Stefan

International Variants

  • Stefano (Italian)
  • Esteban (Spanish)
  • Étienne (French)
  • Stefan (German)

Famous people named Steve

Steve Jobs is a business magnate best known for co-founding Apple Inc., developing the iPhone, and creating the Macintosh computer.

Steve Wozniak is an engineer and inventor best known for co-founding Apple Inc. and designing the Apple I and Apple II computers.

Steve Martin is a comedian, actor, and writer best known for The Jerk, Father of the Bride, and his stand-up comedy.

Steve Carell is an actor and comedian best known for The Office, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Foxcatcher.

Steve Irwin is a wildlife expert and television personality best known for The Crocodile Hunter and his work with wildlife conservation.

Steve Nash is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Phoenix Suns and winning two NBA MVP awards.

Steve McQueen is an actor and cultural icon best known for Bullitt, The Great Escape, and The Magnificent Seven.

Steve Aoki is a DJ and music producer best known for his work in electronic dance music and collaborations with various artists.

Steve Vai is a guitarist and composer best known for his work with Frank Zappa, his solo albums, and his innovative guitar techniques.

Steve Lacy is a musician and producer best known for his work with The Internet and his solo projects.

Steve Earle is a singer-songwriter and musician best known for Guitar Town, Copperhead Road, and his contributions to Americana music.

Steve Buscemi is an actor and director best known for Fargo, Reservoir Dogs, and Boardwalk Empire.

Steve Madden is a fashion designer and businessman best known for founding the Steve Madden footwear brand.

Steve Coogan is a comedian, actor, and writer best known for his character Alan Partridge and films like Philomena.

Steve Winwood is a musician and singer-songwriter best known for his work with Traffic, Blind Faith, and his solo hits.

Steve Cummings is a professional cyclist best known for his achievements in the Tour de France and other cycling competitions.

Steve Bannon is a media executive and strategist best known for his role in the Trump campaign and as a co-founder of Breitbart News.

Steve Albini is a musician and record producer best known for his work with Shellac and producing albums for various bands.

Fictional characters named Steve

Steve Rogers is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. He is the alter ego of Captain America, a super-soldier who fights for justice and freedom.

Steve Harrington is a fictional character from the Netflix series Stranger Things. He is a former high school jock who becomes a key ally to the group of children battling supernatural forces.

Sibling Suggestions

JamesMichaelDavidJohnDanielMatthewAndrew

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Steve was first seen in the United States in 1880. Steve has ranked as high as #77 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Steve has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Steve (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 13
28%
FL 10
21%
TX 10
21%
IL 7
15%
NY 7
15%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188052
188144
188263
188362
188466
188560
188670
188754
188883
188964
189066
189156
189268
189373
189480
189571
189694
189779
189887
189978
1900139
190176
190292
1903127
1904123
1905126
1906131
1907157
1908149
1909187
1910245
1911255
1912543
1913661
1914998
19151,335
19161,399
19171,385
19181,523
19191,294
19201,281
19211,294
19221,269
19231,255
19241,219
19251,145
19261,052
19271,027
1928925
1929887
1930862
1931786
1932780
1933728
1934771
1935773
1936741
1937846
19381,077
19391,208
19401,555
19411,881
19422,376
19432,684
19442,836
19453,384
19464,568
19476,231
19485,741
19495,027
19504,207
19514,053
19524,313
19534,539
19545,062
19555,510
19566,474
19578,908
195810,082
195911,067
196010,646
19619,998
19629,152
19638,051
19647,091
19655,685
19664,617
19673,908
19683,409
19693,063
19702,932
19712,372
19721,845
19731,512
19741,445
19751,383
19761,407
19771,269
19781,235
19791,254
19801,218
19811,116
19821,025
19831,063
19841,041
1985989
1986989
19871,004
1988949
1989997
19901,007
1991896
1992882
1993831
1994714
1995754
1996649
1997627
1998635
1999660
2000649
2001624
2002545
2003563
2004484
2005475
2006472
2007448
2008422
2009415
2010279
2011324
2012303
2013242
2014256
2015224
2016205
2017189
2018167
2019159
2020148
2021135
2022122
2023114
202499