Stephen or
Steven is a masculine
first name, derived from the Greek name (
Stéfanos), in turn from the Greek word "στέφανος", meaning "wreath, crown, honour, reward", literally "that which surrounds or encompasses". In ancient Greece, a wreath was given to the winner of a contest (from which the crown, symbol of rulers derived). The use of the noun was first recorded in
Homer's
Iliad. The name is significant to
Christians: according to the
Book of Acts in the
New Testament,
Saint Stephen was a deacon who was stoned to death and is regarded as the first
Christian martyr. The name has many variants, which include
Stephan,
Stevan,
Stefan and
Stevon.