Meaning & History
Stefanidou is a Greek feminine surname, derived as the feminine form of Stefanidis, which itself means "son of Stefanos" (the modern Greek transcription of Stephen). The suffix -idou indicates a feminine patronymic, common in Greek surnames for women. The root name Stephen comes from the Greek Στέφανος (Stephanos), meaning "crown" or "wreath." Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, popularized the name across Christendom.
The name Stephen spread widely in Europe, with kings and saints bearing it. In Greece, the patronymic forms Stefanidis (masculine) and Stefanidou (feminine) are common, as well as variant spellings like Stephanidi and Stephanidou. Similar patronymics exist in other cultures: Stepanyan in Armenian, Stefanov and Stefanova in Macedonian, Stjepanić in Croatian, and Stefansen in Danish.
According to Forebears, the surname Stefanidou is most prevalent in Greece, particularly in northern regions. It reflects the enduring influence of the name Stephen in Greek naming traditions.
- Meaning: Feminine form of Stefanidis, meaning "daughter of Stefanos" (crown)
- Origin: Greek
- Type: Patronymic surname
- Usage Regions: Greece, Cyprus
Related Names
Sources: Forebears — stefanidou