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Stephanie

♀ Girl

Pronounced STEF-ah-nee /ˈstɛf.ə.ni/High

Meaning: French feminine form of Stephen, from Greek Stephanos meaning 'crown' or 'wreath,' derived from stephein ('to encircle, to crown'); associated with the early Christian martyr Saint StephenHigh

In 30 seconds: Stephanie is the graceful French feminine of Stephen, meaning 'one who is crowned.' A 1980s heavyweight that remains a confident, recognizable classic with European elegance.
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Origin HighGreek, French
MeaningFrench feminine form of Stephen, from Greek Stephanos meaning 'crown' or 'wreath,' derived from stephein ('to encircle, to crown'); associated with the early Christian martyr Saint Stephen
U.S. rank (2025)#557 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births543 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1990
Total births (all-time)≈ 745,139

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199018912025

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

History & Origin

Stephanie is the French feminine form of Stephen, from Greek Stephanos (crown, wreath, from stephein = to encircle). Stephen was the first Christian martyr, and Stephanos was a common Greek name meaning the victor's laurel crown. The feminine form Stephanie spread through French influence in the 18th and 19th centuries and became popular across the English-speaking world in the 20th century.

Stephanie was one of the most popular girls' names in the United States from the 1960s through the 1990s, peaking in the top 10 in the 1980s. It has declined since its peak but remains in the top 200 and is considered a polished, reliable classic. It carries connotations of sophistication and Franco-American elegance.

Did you know? Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, daughter of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, was born in 1965 and became a pop star in the 1980s — giving Stephanie a dual identity as both royal title and chart-topping name.
Overall data confidence 96%
Behind the Name — Stephanie — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

StefanieStephanyStefany

Nicknames

StephStevieSteffie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Stephanie Kwolek (1923–2014)
    American chemist who invented Kevlar, the material used in bulletproof vests.

If you like Stephanie…

Jennifer— shares the 1980s American peak generation and the same confident, polished feel
Michelle— French-origin feminine name from the same era with the same two-or-three-syllable elegance
Kimberly— three-syllable girls' classic from the same mid-century peak with similar staying power
Catherine— another multi-syllable French-influenced girls' name with the same royal dignity and longevity

Frequently Asked

What does the name Stephanie mean?

Stephanie is the French feminine of Stephen, from Greek Stephanos meaning 'crown' or 'garland' — the laurel wreath given to victors in ancient Greece.

How do you pronounce Stephanie?

It is said STEF-ah-nee — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Stephanie a boy or girl name?

Stephanie is used almost exclusively as a girls' name. The masculine form is Stephen or Steven.

How popular is Stephanie?

Stephanie peaked in the U.S. top 10 in the 1980s and now ranks in the top 200. It is a well-recognized classic with enduring feminine elegance.