Steffen

Steffen is a masculine given name and a surname of Germanic origin. It is a spelling variant of Stefan and Stephan, both ultimately derived from the Greek Stephanos, meaning crown or wreath. The name has many cognates across languages, including Stefan, Stephan, Stefano, Stéphane, Esteban, and Stephen. In German-speaking areas, Steffen is commonly used as a given name; it can also occur as a surname in various contexts.

The pronunciation of Steffen varies by language. In German, Steffen is typically pronounced with the initial sound like “steh” and a final “fen,” often rendered as [ˈʃtɛfən] or [ˈstɛfən]. In English contexts, it is often said as “STEF-en.” The name has several diminutives and variants, such as Stef or Steff, and the female form Stefanie or Stephanie.

Geographically, Steffen remains especially common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it has been widely used since the mid-20th century. It also appears in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, and can function as a surname derived from an ancestor who bore the given name.

Notable people with the given name Steffen include Steffen Hofmann, an Austrian footballer who spent a long career with Rapid Wien.