Stephani is a variant of Stephanie, the feminine form of Stephen. Ultimately derived from the Greek name Στέφανος (Stephanos), meaning "crown" or "wreath" — more precisely "that which surrounds" — the name entered the Christian world through Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr stoned to death circa 34 CE (Acts of the Apostles 7:54–60).While Stephen has been borne by saints, royalty, and luminaries across centuries — including ten popes, kings of England, Serbia, and Poland, and the patron saint of Hungary — its feminine counterparts, Stephanie and its variant Stephani, have been especially common in English-speaking countries since the late 20th century. As a given name, Stephani replaces the -ie or -y ending with -i, possibly influenced by the related Stefani or other modern feminizations.Cultural PositionStephani remains a less frequent variant than Stephanie or Stephany, but it has been steadily in use in the United States, often appearing as a spelling choice for parents seeking a distinctive but recognizable name. Because of its strong link to the Stephen/Stephanie root, it carries the same essential meaning of honor, victory, and crowning achievement — themes reinforced by its ancient Greek heritage.Notable BearersThe name is best known as a surname linked to several figures: Franz Stephani (1842–1927), a German bryologist; Paul Michael Stephani (1944–1998), an American serial killer known as the "Weepy-Voiced Killer"; and William Stephani (died 1420s), a Scottish diplomat active in negotiations with England. Although rare as a given name in historical records, it occasionally appears in contemporary usage.Related FormsRelated masculine forms include Stephen and Steven. Feminine variants and diminutives include Stefani, Stephania, Stephanie, Stephany, and Stevie. Other-language cognates reach across Europe, from German Stefanie to Czech Štěpánka, reflecting the name's widespread Christian adoption.Meaning: “crown, wreath” (Greek)Origin: Greek, via Latin and Christian traditionType: Feminine given name, variant of StephanieUsage Regions: English-speaking countries