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Original poster

Stephen or Steven?

70 replies

CharliesLand · 24/08/2023 16:55

Prefer Steven for the nickname Stevie but DP thinks Stephen is more the original

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EinyLinky · 26/08/2023 19:01

Stephen, I definitely consider this the original...

MmmALovelyBitOfSquirrel · 25/08/2023 18:17

I agree with pp, Steven looks like the parents couldn't spell.
I know a few Stephens who go by Steve/Ste.

Pemba · 25/08/2023 18:13

Stephen is the classic spelling, and you can still get Steve or Stevie out of it. Nice classic name, saint's name due for a comeback.

And nope to the pp who said Stephen belonged to the 70s alongside Colin and Denis. A Colin or Denis would be the father/uncle of a Stephen. I was around in the 70s so I remember .

Bin85 · 25/08/2023 18:01

Stefan !

AnnieKayTee · 25/08/2023 13:39

Another vote for Stephen. Its my dad's name and spelling and everyone just calls him Steve. But it looks nicer wrote down with the ph I think.

(I've read the whole thread and now I've read the name so many times it doesn't even sound real anymore🤣)

Theoldwoman · 25/08/2023 13:23

Definitely Stephen.

RavingStyle · 25/08/2023 00:55

Stephen.
Steven looks like he had parents who couldn't spell.

continentallentil · 24/08/2023 23:06

Stephen nn Stevie

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 24/08/2023 23:05

Stephen.

UsingChangeofName · 24/08/2023 22:17

Thanks @Poppins2016
Never heard of that Smile

Dasisr · 24/08/2023 22:14

Bey · 24/08/2023 22:08

Definitely Steven, Stephen always reads Steph en to me.

stevie is so cute

Agreed! Step Hen for me.

Poppins2016 · 24/08/2023 22:13

UsingChangeofName · 24/08/2023 22:07

I prefer Stephen.
Virtually everyone called Stephen is still known as Steve. The ph doesn't stop that.

but just thought if I write Stevie down will people automatically think Steven

In truth if you told me your child was Stevie, or I saw it written down, I would assume they were a girl, as the only person I have ever heard called 'Stevie' is Stevie Nicks.

What does "U or non-U" mean ?

@UsingChangeofName

From Wikipedia, as I can't be bothered to type an explanation... 😇

U and non-U English usage, where "U" stands for upper class, and "non-U" represents the aspiring middle classes, was part of the terminology of popular discourse of social dialects (sociolects) in Britain in the 1950s.

Upper class - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_class

Poppins2016 · 24/08/2023 22:09

I'd go for Stephen, as it looks more elegant and is the classic spelling. You can still use Stevie/Steve if you wish.

Bey · 24/08/2023 22:08

Definitely Steven, Stephen always reads Steph en to me.

stevie is so cute

Poppins2016 · 24/08/2023 22:08

DrMarshaFieldstone · 24/08/2023 19:24

Surely no-one is so literal as to suggest that you can’t call a Stephen Steve as a pet form?

Indeed. I know a (very well-to-do, not that it matters, but in the context of this thread it seems to) Stephen, known as Steve.

UsingChangeofName · 24/08/2023 22:07

I prefer Stephen.
Virtually everyone called Stephen is still known as Steve. The ph doesn't stop that.

but just thought if I write Stevie down will people automatically think Steven

In truth if you told me your child was Stevie, or I saw it written down, I would assume they were a girl, as the only person I have ever heard called 'Stevie' is Stevie Nicks.

What does "U or non-U" mean ?

Dasisr · 24/08/2023 22:07

Way prefer Steven. Stephen always looks weird to me to have the same pronunciation. Less intuitive.

CuteCillian · 24/08/2023 22:04

I prefer Steven. I think it is a great name, as is David.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 24/08/2023 22:00

Steven.

ASoapImpressionOfHisWifeWhichHeAte · 24/08/2023 21:54

Stephen always. I just think that Steven doesn't look right.

DramaAlpaca · 24/08/2023 21:42

dearanon · 24/08/2023 20:14

The ph spelling is the catholic spelling and the v is the Protestant spelling.

I know two youngish Steven/Stephens. Funnily enough, Stephen is Catholic and Steven is Protestant.

I have no preference, I like both versions of the name.

RuthW · 24/08/2023 21:18

I prefer Steven. Good name

thatsn0tmyname · 24/08/2023 21:14

An old boyfriend was called Steve. He said if you walked into a pub and called Steve, at least 5 blokes would turn around. Not many little Steves these days.

Searchingforsunshine · 24/08/2023 21:12

Stephen

MrsTerryPratchett · 24/08/2023 21:03

EmpanadasForLunch · 24/08/2023 20:54

@MrsTerryPratchett 😆😆😆 makes me laugh every time!

Me too. Poor puppy being laughed at! Grin