Steven
Peaked at #10 nationally in 1955, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Steven has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Steven is a variant spelling of Stephen, derived from the Greek "Stephanos," meaning "crown" or "wreath." The name was carried by Saint Stephen, traditionally regarded as the first Christian martyr, whose stoning is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. The "v" spelling became especially common in the United States over the course of the 20th century.
Notable people & culture
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg is the name's most widely recognized bearer, having directed some of the highest-grossing films in history. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and physicist Stephen Hawking used related spellings of the same underlying name. The common short form Steve is used across nearly all variants of the name.
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Steven — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#969
in 1969
Last ranked
#18546
in 2016
Years tracked
71
1941–2016
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1941, Steven reached its peak popularity for girls in 1969, ranking #969 nationally with 123 babies given the name that year.
Steven hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2016, when it stood at #18546.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | #18,546 | 5 |
| 2013 | #18,937 | 5 |
| 2009 | #12,327 | 9 |
| 2008 | #11,497 | 10 |
| 2007 | #12,555 | 9 |
| 2006 | #12,304 | 9 |
| 2005 | #11,727 | 9 |
| 2004 | #5,194 | 25 |
Steven — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#10
in 1955
Current rank
#269
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Steven reached its peak popularity for boys in 1955, ranking #10 nationally with 37,841 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #144 (2014) to #269 (2024) — a 46% drop.
As of 2024, Steven ranks #269 nationally for boys, with 1,284 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #269 | 1,284 |
| 2023 | #251 | 1,394 |
| 2022 | #256 | 1,350 |
| 2021 | #235 | 1,512 |
| 2020 | #222 | 1,679 |
| 2019 | #200 | 1,978 |
| 2018 | #198 | 2,044 |
| 2017 | #182 | 2,167 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Steven most popular?
Steven was most popular in 1955, when it ranked #10 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Steven becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Steven?
At least 1,296,316 babies have been recorded with the name Steven in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Steven? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.