Stephen or Steven?

[CharliesLand]

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

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

Steven.

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

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

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 ?

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.

Definitely Steven, Stephen always reads Steph en to me.

stevie is so cute

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

@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.

Agreed! Step Hen for me.

Thanks @Poppins2016
Never heard of that

Stephen.

Stephen nn Stevie

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

Definitely Stephen.

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🤣)

Stefan !

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 .

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

Stephen, I definitely consider this the original...