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Esteban

♂ Boy

Pronounced es-TEH-ban /ɛsˈteɪ.bɑːn/High

Meaning: Spanish form of Stephen/Steven, from Greek 'Stephanos' meaning 'crown' or 'garland'; the Greek name was borne by the first Christian martyr, Saint StephenHigh

In 30 seconds: Esteban is the Spanish form of Stephen, meaning 'crown.' Warm, distinguished, and steeped in Catholic tradition, it has been a classic name in the Spanish-speaking world for centuries.
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Origin HighSpanish, Greek
MeaningSpanish form of Stephen/Steven, from Greek 'Stephanos' meaning 'crown' or 'garland'; the Greek name was borne by the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen
U.S. rank (2025)#461 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births673 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 35,586

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200518912025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Esteban is the Spanish form of Stefano / Stephen, from the Greek Stephanos meaning 'crown' or 'garland.' Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr, stoned to death as described in the Acts of the Apostles, and his name spread throughout the Christian world. The Spanish form Esteban developed from the Latin Stephanus through normal Iberian phonetic evolution.

Esteban has been one of the standard names in Spain and Latin America for centuries, carried through Catholic devotion to Saint Stephen. In the United States it is widely used in Hispanic communities and gives the English Stephen a distinctly warm, Latin character.

Did you know? Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is commemorated on December 26 — the day after Christmas — making Stephen and its forms like Esteban one of the rare names with its own feast day immediately following the most important Christian holiday.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Esteban — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

StephenStevenStefanoStephan

Nicknames

TebaEstiSteve

Famous Bearers

  • ★Saint Stephen
    First Christian martyr, stoned to death as described in Acts of the Apostles

If you like Esteban…

Sebastian— shares the Spanish Catholic classic tradition and the three-syllable elegance
Emilio— equally warm and classic Spanish name with Mediterranean depth
Rafael— shares the Spanish Catholic heritage and the three-syllable romantic feel
Alejandro— another enduring Spanish classic with the same cultural gravitas

Frequently Asked

What does Esteban mean?

Esteban means 'crown' or 'garland,' from Greek Stephanos. It is the Spanish form of Stephen, the name of the first Christian martyr.

How do you pronounce Esteban?

Esteban is pronounced es-TEH-ban /ɛsˈteɪ.bɑːn/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Esteban the same as Stephen?

Yes. Esteban is the Spanish form of Stephen, both deriving from Greek Stephanos meaning crown. They are the same name in different languages.

Is Esteban a popular name?

Esteban is widely used throughout the Spanish-speaking world and is a consistent presence in U.S. Hispanic communities, a classic that never goes out of fashion.