"And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost."
Biblical Name · Greek (Stephanos) Origin
Stephen Meaning in the Bible
Stephen
boy
Stephen means "Crown; Wreath", a boy's name of Greek (Stephanos) origin. Stephen appears in the King James Bible, and Acts 6:5 is the passage most often tied to it. Stephen's name — 'crown' — prophetically described his destiny. His courageous witness and gracious death remind us that the highest crown is not worn in this life but received in the presence of Christ.
Is Stephen in the Bible?
Yes — Stephen appears in the King James Bible, including Acts 6:5.
Pronunciation:/STEE-vun/
What does Stephen mean?
Stephen is a boy name of Greek (Stephanos) origin meaning "Crown; Wreath". Stephen means "crown" or "wreath" in Greek, and he was the first Christian martyr — earning the ultimate crown of glory.
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What does Stephen mean in the Bible?
Stephen means "Crown; Wreath" and is a name of Greek (Stephanos) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Stephen means "crown" or "wreath" in Greek, and he was the first Christian martyr — earning the ultimate crown of glory. Stephen was one of seven men chosen to serve the early church as deacons, described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost."
Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin in Acts 7 is the longest speech in the Book of Acts — a masterful survey of Israel's history showing how the nation repeatedly rejected God's messengers. His accusers "were cut to the heart" and stoned him to death.
As he was dying, Stephen echoed Jesus' words: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Remarkably, a young man named Saul watched approvingly — the same Saul who would later become the apostle Paul. Stephen's martyrdom and prayer may have planted seeds in Paul's heart.
Where does Stephen appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Stephen is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Acts 6:5. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Stephen?
Stephen has 5 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Common nicknames
Steve
Stevie
Which books of the Bible mention Stephen?
Stephen is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Stephen?
Stephen's name — 'crown' — prophetically described his destiny. His courageous witness and gracious death remind us that the highest crown is not worn in this life but received in the presence of Christ.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Stephen:
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Word Meaning
Crown (στέφανος (stephanos))
A victor's wreath — the reward given for faithful service and endurance.
Word Meaning
Crown (Stephanos) (στέφανος (stephanos))
A victory wreath — the reward given to overcomers, athletes, and the faithful.
Strong's
Strong's G4735 — Crown (Stephanos)
στέφανος (stephanos) • A victory wreath — the reward given to overcomers, athletes, and the faithful.
Commentary
Deuteronomy 31:6 Commentary
In-depth study • Courage & God's Faithfulness
Devotional
Deuteronomy 31:6 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Commentary
Daniel 6:10 Commentary
In-depth study • Faithfulness in Adversity
What names are related to Stephen?
Names that pair well with Stephen
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
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Stephen name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Stephen appears in the King James Bible, including Acts 6:5.
Stephen means "Crown; Wreath." It is a Greek (Stephanos) name. The King James Bible uses it in Acts 6:5, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Greek (Stephanos). Stephen comes into English from Greek (Stephanos) and carries the sense "Crown; Wreath." It appears in the King James Bible, including Acts 6:5.
Common questions about the name Stephen
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Stephen?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Stephen?
You can read every verse where Stephen appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.