Stephanie
/ˈstɛfəni/noun
A feminine given name derived from the Greek name Stephania, meaning associated with a crown or wreath.
Did you know?The name ultimately honors Saint Stephen, whose Greek name Stephanos means “crown”; Christian tradition later interpreted his martyrdom as receiving a heavenly crown.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*stebh-
“A reconstructed root associated with posts, stems, or supporting structures; its connection to the Greek crown-word is proposed rather than certain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
στέφανος (stephanos)
“A wreath or crown, especially one awarded as a mark of victory, honor, or ceremony.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Στεφανία (Stephania)
“The feminine form of Stephanos, meaning crowned or belonging to a crown.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Stephania
“A Latinized feminine personal name derived from Greek Stephania.”
Medieval Period
Old French
Estefanie / Estefanie
“Medieval French forms of the feminine name, shaped by the pronunciation and spelling conventions of French.”
19th Century–Modern English
English
Stephanie
“The modern English feminine given name, popularized through French and broader European usage.”
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