Steven in Chinese
Steven in Chinese is 史蒂文 (Shǐ Dì Wén).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- crown, garland
The name traces back to Greek sources, where it is usually explained as "crown, garland". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Stephanie, Stephen.
3 ways to write Steven
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
史蒂文
Shǐ Dì Wén
The standard transliteration of Steven: 史 (shǐ, "history"), 蒂 (dì, "stem of a fruit (phonetic 'di')"), 文 (wén, "literature, culture; refined"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 史 shǐ + 蒂 dì + 文 wén. The tone contour is 3-4-2 (dipping, falling, rising). 史 is kept because it is the established form, even though it shǐ sounds like 屎 (dung) in isolation by itself.
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 史
shǐ
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
history
- 蒂
dì
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
stem of a fruit (phonetic 'di')
- 文
wén
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
literature, culture; refined
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
胜杰
Shèng Jié
Inspired by "crown, garland": 胜 (shèng, "victory") + 杰 (jié, "outstanding, heroic"), expressing victory and honor.
Why these characters?
The idea of "crown" behind Steven is rendered by 胜, "victory"; 杰, "outstanding, heroic", completes it.
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 胜
shèng
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
victory
- 杰
jié
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
outstanding, heroic
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
世凯
Shì Kǎi
世 (shì, "world; generation") + 凯 (kǎi, "triumph, victory song"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 史, this uses 世 (shì, "world; generation") for the "ste" sound, then 凯 ("triumph, victory song") for meaning.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 世
shì
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
world; generation
- 凯
kǎi
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
triumph, victory song
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 1,280,424 boys named Steven since 1880, with the high point in 1956 (38,385 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #25 to #182 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1956
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,280,424
More About Steven in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Steven offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Steven, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Stephanie in Chinese, and Stephen in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Stephanie in Chinese, Stephen in Chinese, and Kyle in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Adam in Chinese, Aaron in Chinese, Ethan in Chinese, Austin in Chinese, and Christian in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Steven, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Steven to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Steven translated into Chinese?
史蒂文 (Shǐ Dì Wén), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Steven with real meaning?
Try 胜杰 (Shèng Jié): victory + outstanding, heroic, inspired by "crown, garland". For something that still sounds like Steven, 世凯 (Shì Kǎi) is a middle ground.
How many strokes does 史蒂文 have?
22 strokes in simplified form; per character: 史 5, 蒂 13, 文 4.