^ Stephen was ranked 246th among male names in the United States in 2015, and 357th in England and Wales (source); Steven was ranked 154th in the United States and 403rd in England and Wales (source).
Saint Stephen was a deacon who was stoned to death, as told in Acts in the New Testament. He is regarded as the first Christian martyr. Due to him, the name became common in the Christian world. It was popularized in England by the Normans. This was the name of kings of England, Serbia, and Poland, as well as ten popes.
Because of namesakes like Stephen Hawking, Stephen King, and Stephen Sondheim, the name has gained a reputation for belonging to men who are geniuses in their respective fields, be it science, literature, or music.
Stephen Hawking, the brilliant British physicist and cosmologist, revolutionized our understanding of black holes and the universe through his groundbreaking research and resilience in battling ALS.
At St. Stephen’s we certainly prize and celebrate academic success, but as a non-selective school we realise that it is the progress of individuals that really counts and we seek to maximise that progress for each student in a safe and nurturing environment.
Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to be responsible over the distribution of food to widows in the early church after a dispute arose and the apostles recognized they needed help.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Acts 7:54-60 NIV - The Stoning of Stephen - When the - Bible Gateway