All about the name

Steve

Female

« Steve, of English origin, means 'crown' or 'garland', initially used as a nickname for those wearing royal headgear. »

#7816 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Steve is a name of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "steef", which means "crown" or "garland". It was originally used as a nickname for someone who wore a crown or Garland in their hair, possibly as part of a costume or uniform. The name Steve became popular during the Middle Ages in England and was often used as a nickname for people with royal connections or those who worked in the royal household. Over time, however, it became more commonly used as a given name rather than a nickname. In the United States, Steve was particularly popular in the early to mid 20th century. It peaked in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, reaching its highest point on the Social Security Administration's list of most popular baby names in 1953, when it ranked #7 for boys' names. Today, Steve remains a popular name around the world, with variations such as Stevie, Stephen, and Stefan also being commonly used. Despite its origins as a nickname, Steve is now considered a traditional given name with a strong history dating back centuries.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Steve since 1880

Total births
907
Total since 1880
Peak year
1957
35 births
in 1998
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years