Name meaning & stats
Steve
Steve means “crown, wreath” (Ancient Greek origin). 209,747 US babies since 1940, peak 1959. Notable Steves are 1.8× over-represented as footballers.
What it means
“crown, wreath”
Ancient GreekWell documented
A short form of Steven / Stephen.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1959
209,747 US babies were named Steve between 1940 and 2025.
Where Steves end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Footballer | 1.8× | High · 421 people |
| Politician | 1.2× | High · 309 people |
| NFL-style footballer | 1.3× | High · 266 people |
| Musician | 1.3× | High · 168 people |
Among notable men who are footballers, Steves show up 1.8× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Steve has a surprise career: 1.6×
Name twins (peaked around 1959)