Stephanie Overview
- Meaning: The most common meaning for Stephanie is “crown.” However, some variations mean “garland,” “wreath,” “fame,” and “encircle.”
- Gender: Stephanie is a popular girl’s name that you won’t see for boys. The masculine form is Stephen.
- Origin: Stephanie originated in Ancient Greece from the word “stephanos.”
- Pronunciation: “Steh-fuh-nee”
- Popularity: Stephanie currently ranks in 455th place in the United States. It peaked in the mid-80s at 6th place.
- Variations: Stefania, Stephania, Stefanija, Stefaniya, Stefanie, Kekepania, Stefanija, Estefania, Stefana
- Namesakes: Stephanie of Milly, Saint Stephanie, Stephanie Beard, Stephanie Finochio, Stephanie Meyer.
What Does Stephanie Mean?
Stephanie is a classic female name that means “crown” in Greek. It’s a popular name in English-speaking countries and has a variety of non-English variations. Its male counterpart, Stephen, also carries the same meaning.
What Is the Origin of the Name Stephanie?
Stephanie and each of its variations trace back to the Greek Stephanos, which means “crown” or “garland.” Other meanings of Stephanos include “reward,” “honor,” or “fame.”
Both Stephanos and Stephanie come from the Greek verb stéphein. This verb means to encircle, which, combined with garland, refers to the ancient Greek custom of crowning contest winners with laurel wreaths (1).
How Popular is the Name Stephanie?
Stephanie has waxed and waned in popularity over the last century. It was fairly popular in the early 20th century, ranking at 758th in 1900 before rising to 302nd place in 1916.
It fell out of favor in the 1930s but quickly regained popularity over the next several decades. It held 6th place from 1984-1987, then slowly declined as the new century approached.
As of 2021, Stephanie is the 455th most popular girl’s name in the United States. It seems to be on the decline once again. However, if it follows the same trend of the last 120 years, it’ll likely rise in popularity soon (2).
How Do I Pronounce Stephanie?
Stephanie is pronounced “Steh-fuh-nee.”
Is Stephanie a Boy or Girl Name?
Stephanie is a popular name for girls. Although it has male equivalents, Stephanie is historically a female name.
Variations of Stephanie
Stephanie originated in Ancient Greece but has spread throughout the world over the millennia. Today, you can find variations of the name in cultures around the world.
- Stefania (Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak)
- Stephania (English)
- Stefanija (Croatian, Lituanian, Macedonian, Slovene)
- Stefaniya (Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian)
- Stefanie (Danish, Dutch, German)
- Kekepania (Hawaiian)
- Stefanija (Croationa, Lituanian, Macedonian, Slovene)
- Estefania (Portuguese, Spanish)
- Stefana (Bulgarian, Serbian)
Nicknames for Stephanie
One of the best things about Stephanie and its variations is that it has a lot of nicknames. Here are just a few.
- Annie
- Fanny
- Nia
- Steffi
- Steph
- Stephie
- Stevie
- Vani
- Vania
Similar Names to Stephanie
Due to its ancient origins, Stephanie is one of the most classic feminine names. If you want a name similar to Stephanie, you should choose one with the same characteristics. Here are a few options.
- Allison
- Amanda
- Ashley
- Christine
- Courtney
- Danielle
- Jessica
- Melissa
- Michelle
- Samantha
Middle Names for Stephanie
If you’ve opted for Stephanie for your little girl’s name, you’ll want a middle name to match. Here are a few options you could consider.
- Anne
- Blake
- Brynn
- Ivy
- Judith
- Madeline
- Marie
- Michelle
- Rose
- Ryan
Sibling Names for Stephanie
As a parent of more than one child, you probably want your kids’ names to complement one another. So, here are some options for sibling names that go well with Stephanie.
Sister Names for Stephanie
- Anita
- Caroline
- Christine (Chrissy, Chris)
- Emma
- Emmeline (Emmie, Emma, Em)
- Madeline (Maddie)
- Rosana (Rose, Ana)
- Rowena
- Susana (Sue, Susie)
- Tanya
Brother Names for Stephanie
- Adam
- Alex
- Bryce
- Dominic
- Edward (Ed, Eddie)
- Jared
- Patrick (Pat)
- Robert (Bob, Bobby, Rob)
- Sean
- William (Bill, Billy, Liam, Will, Willy)
Famous People Named Stephanie
Stephanie has been a popular name among common folk for thousands of years. Take a look at this list of famous women named Stephanie.
- Stephanie: Queen of Navarre.
- Stephanie of Milly: Lady of Gibelet.
- Saint Stephanie: Italian martyr.
- Stephanie Beard: Canadian actress.
- Stephanie Cheng: Hong Kong singer.
- Stephanie Finochio: American stuntwoman.
- Stephanie Graf: Austrian Olympian.
- Stephanie Meyer: American author of the Twilight series.
- Stefanie Pohl: German volleyball player.
- Stephanie Herseth Sandlin: American politician
Stephanie in Popular Culture
You’ve probably noticed a lot of characters and pop culture figures named Stephanie. You can find them on TV, in films, and in the media. Here are just a few of the most popular characters named Stephanie.
- Stephanie Brown: Hero from the DC comics and part of the Batman family
- Stephanie Crawford: A character from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Stephanie Dla: A character from No Game No Life.
- Stephanie Forrester: A character from The Bold and the Beautiful.
- Stephanie Johnson: A character in Day of Our Lives.
- Stephanie “Steph” Dean: A character from Hollyoaks.
- Stephanie Plum: A titular character in Jane Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.
- Stephanie Scully: A character from Neighbors.
- Stephanie Tanner: A character from Full House.
- Stephanie Vanderkellen: A character from Newhart.
Stephanie FAQs
Are you still curious about the name Stephanie? Here are the answers to a few common questions about this classic name.
Is Stephanie a Biblical Name?
Although Stephanie has Greek origins, it quickly spread across the globe to other cultures. “Stephanie” didn’t make its way into the Bible, but “Stephen” did. In the Bible, Stephen is the first Christian martyr. He was Jesus’ first disciple to receive the crown of glory (3).
Does Stephanie Mean “Princess”?
Stephanie originates from the Greek word for crown. However, it doesn’t tie precisely to “princess.” That said, many queens and princesses over the centuries have been named Stephanie, so you could say it has royal ties (4).
Is Stephanie a Unique Name?
Stephanie is a classic name that’s also quite unique. It ranks relatively low in popularity, making it an excellent choice if you want to give your child a different but simple name.
