The name Stevie has traditionally been more popular for boys than girls, but in recent years it has become an increasingly gender-neutral option. Stevie is a version of the name Stephen or Steven, derived from the Greek name Stephanos meaning “crown”. While the traditional male spelling is Steven, Stevie emerged as a more feminine variation for girls.
So how popular is Stevie for a girl these days? Let’s take a look at the name’s history, trends, rankings, and more to find out.
A Brief History of the Name Stevie
Stevie originated as a nickname for Stephen/Steven, but began being used as a given name on its own in the late 19th century. It was initially more common for boys, but started becoming an option for girls as well by the 1920s and 30s.
Famous female bearers of the name from decades past include Stevie Nicks of music group Fleetwood Mac and actress Stevie Ryan. While historically more popular for males, Stevie has been climbing in usage for girls in recent years.
Stevie in the U.S. Popularity Rankings
Stevie has ranked in the top 1,000 girl names in the U.S. since at least the 1960s, according to Social Security Administration data. It steadily climbed the charts throughout the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, peaking in popularity in 1986 at #160.
The name fell back out of favor in the ’90s and early 2000s, dipping as low as #753 in 2009. But in the 2010s it returned to an upward trend for girls, regaining a spot in the top 500 names.
Here’s a look at Stevie’s girl name rankings over the past decade:
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2012 | #628 |
| 2013 | #536 |
| 2014 | #509 |
| 2015 | #466 |
| 2016 | #446 |
| 2017 | #412 |
| 2018 | #370 |
| 2019 | #349 |
| 2020 | #266 |
| 2021 | #224 |
As of 2021, Stevie ranks #224 for girls – its highest position in over three decades and continuing to rise. It re-entered the top 250 names in 2018 and the top 200 just last year, showing its growing popularity.
Stevie in State Popularity Rankings
Nationally, Stevie is gaining momentum for girls. But its usage varies from state to state across the U.S.
In the map below, we can see Stevie’s girl name ranking by state in 2021. The darker shades of blue indicate more popularity.
Some standouts:
- Stevie ranks highest in Oregon at #84 for girls
- Other top 10 states are Washington (#96), Utah (#97), and Montana (#98)
- Lowest rankings are found in Mississippi (#428) and Louisiana (#419)
Regionally, Stevie appears most popular out West and less common in the South. But even in lower-ranking states, it remains in the top half of girl names, reflecting its growing national presence.
Stevie Across English Speaking Countries
Focusing beyond the United States, how popular is Stevie for girls in other English-speaking countries?
In the United Kingdom, Stevie for girls has followed a similar trajectory to the U.S. – climbing in rankings in recent years after falling out of favor in the late 1900s.
| Year | Rank in UK |
|---|---|
| 1996 | #856 |
| 2006 | #1,625 |
| 2016 | #1,131 |
| 2020 | #562 |
In 2020, Stevie ranked #562 for girls in England and Wales – its highest position since 1996, now back inside the top 600 names.
In Australia, Stevie does not rank within their top 100 girl names reported annually. But data indicates it is rising there too. Stevie was the #6 fastest growing girl’s name in New South Wales in 2020.
In Canada, Stevie ranked #322 for girls in 2020, up significantly from #882 a decade prior in 2010.
So while Stevie is uncommon compared to top names like Olivia or Amelia, the English-speaking world generally mirrors the U.S. in Stevie gaining traction for girls after years of decline. It is reemerging as a gender-neutral name choice parents are reconsidering.
The Name Stevie for Boy vs Girls
While Stevie is climbing for girls, it remains significantly more popular for boys in the U.S.
In 2021, Stevie ranked #224 for girls compared to #159 for boys. And the boy name has maintained a relatively steady ranking between #100 and #200 over the past decade, not seeing the same declines and resurgence.
Let’s compare male and female usage of Stevie over time:
| Year | Girl Rank | Boy Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | #253 | #117 |
| 1990 | #223 | #170 |
| 2000 | #661 | #162 |
| 2010 | #753 | #184 |
| 2020 | #266 | #147 |
A few key insights:
– In the 1980s, Stevie was similarly popular for both genders, ranking in the 200s.
– Stevie declined for girls but not boys in the 1990s and 2000s. By 2010 the gap between boy and girl rankings widened considerably.
– In the 2010s, Stevie had a resurgence for girls back to the 200s, while remaining relatively stable for boys.
– Today it remains more popular for male than female babies, but the gap is narrowing as Stevie gains ground for girls.
While historically more common for boys, parents are clearly reconsidering Stevie for their daughters – breathing new life into this gender-neutral name option.
Conclusion
In the 21st century, Stevie has staged a comeback for girls after fading in popularity in prior decades. Nationally, it ranks among the top 250 girl names and continues rising annually. Regionally, it’s most popular out West and rising across English-speaking countries too.
Stevie appears to be shedding its traditional boyish image, with today’s parents willing to embrace this vintage name in new ways. While still more common for boys, Stevie sits comfortably in the top couple hundred names for girls in America. Its gender-neutral styling gives it a flexible, laidback vibe fitting for a daughter too.
For parents seeking a name outside the current top 10 but on the upswing, Stevie strikes the right balance of familiar yet fresh. Rich with musical and creative vibes thanks to associations like Stevie Nicks and Stevie Wonder, this lyrical name offers a cool option for a baby girl today.
