Declining since 1985, #1,609 for boys today.
Popularity of Steve since 1880
Babies named Steve per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 618 |
| 1890s | 752 |
| 1900s | 1,307 |
| 1910s | 9,638 |
| 1920s | 11,354 |
| 1930s | 8,572 |
| 1940s | 36,286 |
| 1950s | 64,212 |
| 1960s | 65,619 |
| 1970s | 16,652 |
| 1980s | 10,392 |
| 1990s | 7,654 |
| 2000s | 5,097 |
| 2010s | 2,348 |
| 2020s | 723 |
Meaning & origin
Steve is a classic short form of Stephen that peaked in popularity during the 1950s, reaching its highest rank in 1959. Since around 1985, its usage has been steadily declining, and it now ranks 1,609th, with a frequency of about 1 in 16,267 births. Historically, the name was most common in states like Georgia, California, and Illinois. Despite its fall from mid-century ubiquity, Steve retains a familiar, approachable sound and continues to be used as a standalone name rather than solely as a nickname for Stephen.
Steve is a short form of Stephen, from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning 'crown' or 'garland'. The name was popularized by Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and has been used across Europe since the Middle Ages. As an independent given name, Steve gained widespread use in the United States in the mid-20th century.
Where Steve is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Steve” around the world
Where Steve lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Steve
Names that share Steve's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Steve
Names whose popularity has moved with Steve's over the last 50 years.
