Difference between revisions of "Stephen"
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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|ˈstiË vÉ™n}}; 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 στÎφανος ''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-' (EstÎban): a form in French is Étienne. The feminine equivalent in English is '''Stephanie'''. There have been some well-known Stephens: | '''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|ˈstiË vÉ™n}}; 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 στÎφανος ''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-' (EstÎban): a form in French is Étienne. The feminine equivalent in English is '''Stephanie'''. There have been some well-known Stephens: | ||
*Kings: | *Kings: | ||
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: /ˈstiË vÉ™n/; 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 στÎφανος 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-' (EstÎban): 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.
