# Etienne

/ˈɛtiɛn/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/etienne
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the French version of the name Stephen. It is a common first name for men in French-speaking countries.

For teachers: the French cognate of the masculine given name Stephen. Derived from the Greek 'Stephanos', meaning crown or wreath.

## Examples

- My friend Etienne lives in Paris.
- The professor introduced himself as Etienne, explaining that he had moved from Lyon to teach history.
- While the name Etienne is distinctly French, its etymological roots are shared with the English Stephen and the Spanish Esteban, all tracing back to the same Greek origin.

## Usage notes

- Used as a proper noun; always capitalized.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.