Holding steady.
Popularity of Stephens since 1913
Babies named Stephens per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 20 |
| 1920s | 36 |
| 1930s | 16 |
| 1940s | 48 |
| 1950s | 98 |
| 1960s | 62 |
| 1970s | 48 |
| 1980s | 45 |
| 1990s | 18 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Stephens is a rare given name that originated as a patronymic surname. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1913, but its use as a first name has always been extremely uncommon, never cracking the top 1000. The name's peak year was 1953, after which it slowly declined, and its trajectory has been stable in recent decades with very few annual births. As a surname-turned-first-name, it fits a modern trend, but it remains a distinctive choice. The name is virtually absent from top state rankings, reflecting its overall rarity.
Stephens is a patronymic surname meaning son of Stephen, derived from the Greek Stephanos (crown or garland). The given name Stephen was popularized by Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The surname Stephens has been in use as a first name since at least the early 20th century, following the tradition of using surnames as given names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Steve, Stevie
Variants: Stevens, Stephenson
Sibling names for Stephens
Names that share Stephens's style, for a brother or sister.
