Stefan
/ˈstɛfən/noun
A masculine given name, a form of Stephen, ultimately derived from Ancient Greek.
Did you know?The name became especially powerful in Christian history through Saint Stephen, whose martyr’s “crown” gave the name a symbolic connection to sacrifice and spiritual victory.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
στέφανος (stéphanos)
“A crown or wreath, especially one awarded as a prize or symbol of victory”
Classical Greek
Greek
στεφανόω (stephanoō)
“To crown or encircle with a wreath”
1st Century
Koine Greek
Στέφανος (Stéphanos)
“A personal name meaning “crown”; borne by Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr”
4th–10th Centuries
Latin
Stephanus
“The Latin form of the Greek personal name, spread through Christian religious tradition”
Old English and Medieval Europe
Germanic/European
Stephen, Stefan
“Personal-name forms used across Christian Europe, honoring Saint Stephen”
Modern English
English
Stefan
“A modern international form of Stephen, especially common in Germanic, Slavic, and Scandinavian languages”
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