Stephanie is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word "stephanos," which means "crown" or "garland." This name was traditionally used to represent victory or success. The name Stephanie gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the late Middle Ages and has remained popular ever since.
The name Stephanie first appeared in the 12th century in France, where it was a variation of the French name Estephanie, which was itself derived from the Greek name Stephanos. Over time, the name evolved into its current spelling and pronunciation.
Stephanie is often associated with several notable historical figures, such as Sainte Stephanie, who was a Christian martyr during the Roman Empire's persecution of Christians in the 4th century. Despite this association, the name Stephanie has remained popular regardless of religious affiliation.
In literature, Stephanie appears as a character in various works, including "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas and "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. These appearances have further contributed to the name's popularity and recognition.
Today, Stephanie remains a popular given name for girls around the world. Its timeless association with success and victory has made it a beloved choice among parents seeking a strong and meaningful name for their daughters.
Here are some fascinating statistics about the name Stephanie in the United States:
From 1891 to 1919, there were fewer than 374 births per year with the name Stephanie. However, things started to change significantly from 1920 onwards.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the number of babies named Stephanie fluctuated between 88 and 311 births per year.
The name Stephanie gained popularity in the post-WWII era. From 1946 to 1979, there were consistently more than 1,500 births per year with this name, peaking at over 24,000 births in 1983 and 1984.
However, Stephanie's popularity began to decline after the mid-1980s. From 1990 onwards, there were fewer than 25,000 babies named Stephanie each year.
By the early 2000s, around 6,000 to 7,000 girls were named Stephanie annually. This trend continued until the late 2010s when the number of births with this name dropped below 1,000 per year.
In recent years, there have been approximately 650-896 babies named Stephanie each year in the United States, marking a significant decrease from its peak popularity nearly four decades ago.