The Origin of Stephens
Lately, I’ve been thinking about names, specifically last names. I wondered about the meaning of my last name and its origins. So, I decided to do some research and stumbled upon a website called houseofnames.com. I spent an afternoon reading about my last name and I learned some cool bits of history. However, the more I read the more I felt disconnected. As a Black American, I didn’t feel a sense of self when reading about the origins of my name. Sure, the history is interesting but it's not my history. Still, I did enjoy this brief journey. Here’s what I found:
Meaning of Stephens
Stephens (pronounced “Stevens”) “comes from the ancient personal name Stephen, meaning crown, wealth, or garland” (houseofnames). Look at that, I’m royalty…despite not having a crown and I’m broke.
Religious Connotations
The personal name Stephen, also known as Stephanos, or Saint Stephen, was the first Christian martyr after Christ. According to Britannica.com, Saint Stephen was a Christian deacon in Jerusalem…whose apology before Sanhedrin points to a distinct strand of belief in early Christianity.” Because of his faith, Saint Stephen alienated his Jewish audience. Enrage with Saint Stephen, the Jewish people took him out of the city and stoned him to death (Britannica).
