Difference between revisions of "Stephen"

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'''Stephen''' is a common male [[forename]]. t can also be spelled '''Steven''', which is closer [[phonetic]]ally to its sound in Englsih ('STEEVE-en', {{IPA|ˈstiː vÉ™n}}; but purists will always prefdr tegh spelling with -ph-', which reflects its origin as a Greek name, using the letter  
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'''Stephen''' is a common male [[forename]]. It can also be spelled '''Steven''', which is closer [[phonetic]]ally to its sound in Englsih ('STEEVE-en', {{IPA|ˈstiː vən}}; but purists prefer the spelling with -ph-', which reflects its origin as a Greek name, using the letter φ (phi). (it is derived from the word στέφανος ''stephanos'') 'a crown'. This was an appropriate name for the first Christian to 'gain a [[martyr]]'s crown' (die for his faith): Saint Stephen.) The equivalent name in many European languages (e.g. Irish, German and Russian) is written with an '-f-'; in some (like Czech) it has a '-p-', which in Spanish becomes a '-b-' (Estέban): a form in French is Étienne. The feminine equivalent in English is '''Stephanie'''. There have been some well-known Stephens:
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*Kings:
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**One King of England, [[King Stephen]]
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**Several Kings of Hungary, of which [[Saint Stephen#Stephen of Hungary]] (c.977–1038; r. 1000–1038) was the first. Stephen V - the last - died in 1272.
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**Kings of several other Slavonic countries, such as Moldavia, Bulgaria, Armenia and Serbia
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*Several [[Saint]]s. Those of general interest are probably only two or three:
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**'''Stephen''' the '''protomartyr''', or first martyr. His death is recorded in the ''[[The Acts of the Apostles]]'' (see [[Saint Stephen#Protomartyr]]. His feast-day is 26th December - 'Boxing Day' in Britain - and is recorded in the carol ''Good King Wenceslas'.
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**One [[The Pope |Pope]], Stephen I (254–7)
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**Stephen of Hungary, who not only consolidated the realm but greatly strengthened Christianity within it.
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*Several places are named for one or other of the saints, in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
  
*[[King Stephen]]
 
**Of England
 
**Of Hungary - Saint Stephen of Hungary was King Stephen I; there have been at least 4 others.
 
***Moldavia, Bulgaria, Armenia, Serbia
 
 
*[[Saint Stephen]]
 
**Protomartyr
 
**Pope Stephen I
 
**Stephen of Hungary
 
 
::Steven
 
  
 
[[category:Names]]
 
[[category:Names]]
 
[[category:saints]]
 
[[category:saints]]
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[[category:Christianity]]
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[[category:European history]]

Revision as of 17:11, 14 July 2010

Stephen is a common male forename. It can also be spelled Steven, which is closer phonetically to its sound in Englsih ('STEEVE-en', IPA: /ˈstiː vən/; but purists prefer the spelling with -ph-', which reflects its origin as a Greek name, using the letter φ (phi). (it is derived from the word στέφανος stephanos) 'a crown'. This was an appropriate name for the first Christian to 'gain a martyr's crown' (die for his faith): Saint Stephen.) The equivalent name in many European languages (e.g. Irish, German and Russian) is written with an '-f-'; in some (like Czech) it has a '-p-', which in Spanish becomes a '-b-' (Estέban): a form in French is Étienne. The feminine equivalent in English is Stephanie. There have been some well-known Stephens:

  • Kings:
    • One King of England, King Stephen
    • Several Kings of Hungary, of which Saint Stephen#Stephen of Hungary (c.977–1038; r. 1000–1038) was the first. Stephen V - the last - died in 1272.
    • Kings of several other Slavonic countries, such as Moldavia, Bulgaria, Armenia and Serbia
  • Several Saints. Those of general interest are probably only two or three:
    • Stephen the protomartyr, or first martyr. His death is recorded in the The Acts of the Apostles (see Saint Stephen#Protomartyr. His feast-day is 26th December - 'Boxing Day' in Britain - and is recorded in the carol Good King Wenceslas'.
    • One Pope, Stephen I (254–7)
    • Stephen of Hungary, who not only consolidated the realm but greatly strengthened Christianity within it.
  • Several places are named for one or other of the saints, in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.