Steffi is a feminine given name of German origin. It is a short form or pet name for the German name Stephanie, which means "crown" in Greek. The name Stephanie has been used since medieval times and was traditionally associated with royalty due to its meaning. Steffi, however, became popular as an independent name rather than just a shortened version of Stephanie.
The name Steffi gained significant popularity during the 20th century, particularly in Germany. It was often used among families who were looking for unique yet approachable names for their daughters. In some cases, it was also used as a middle name or to honor someone with the full name Stephanie.
One notable figure who has contributed to the recognition of this name is Steffi Graf, a renowned German tennis player who dominated the sport in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She won numerous Grand Slam titles and was known for her exceptional talent and hard work ethic. Although she is not directly responsible for popularizing the name Steffi, her fame has likely contributed to its familiarity.
Today, Steffi continues to be a recognized name in Germany and other parts of Europe. It may also be found in other countries where German culture or language has had an influence. Despite its origins, it is not exclusively used within German-speaking communities; rather, it can be seen as a global name with a unique history and meaning.
The statistics for the name Steffi show a varied pattern of popularity over time in the United States. The highest number of births with this name occurred in 1988 and 1989, with 34 and 36 births respectively, indicating that those years were peaks of popularity for the name Steffi.
However, it is important to note that even at its peak, the number of babies named Steffi was relatively low compared to other popular names. This suggests that while Steffi has been a recognized name choice, it has not been one of the most common options.
The statistics also show that there were no births with the name Steffi in some years, such as 1943-1946 and 2003-2005, indicating that those periods may have been less popular for this particular name.