Surname Stjepanovic - Meaning and Origin
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Stjepanovic: What does the surname Stjepanovic mean?
The last name Stjepanovic is derived from the early Slavic name Stjepan, meaning Stephen. Stjepanovic is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the father's given name. This surname is most commonly found in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
The origin of the last name Stjepanovic is thought to have come from a historical figure named Stjepan, who was a 10th century ruler who led an army in an attempt to take over the then Byzantine Empire. The attempt failed and Stjepan and his army were exiled. This event is believed to have been the origin of the Stjepanovic last name.
The meaning of the Stjepanovic name can have two interpretations. One interpretation is that Stjepanovic originates from the act of stepping forward bravely, as Stephen did with his army in the 10th century. The other interpretation is that it is a symbol of courage and strength - with the name remembering the bravery of Stephen and his army for having tried to take over the Byzantine Empire.
Today, the surname Stjepanovic is shared by families all over the Balkans and is a testament to this region’s rich cultural history. Unlike many other last names in this region, Stjepanovic has retained its classic Slavic form over the centuries, making it a popular choice in its home countries.
Order DNA origin analysisStjepanovic: Where does the name Stjepanovic come from?
The last name Stjepanovic is most commonly found in the Balkan region today, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. The surname is of Slavic origin and is thought to be derived from the name “Stjepan”, which is the Croatian, Serbian, and Slovenian version of the biblical name Stephen.
Statistics from the World Names Profiler project indicate that Croatia has the highest percentage of people with the surname Stjepanovic, where approximately 0.007% of the population bear this surname. Montenegro follows close behind, with approximately 0.004% of the population being named Stjepanovic. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Austria have the lowest percentages, with 0.001%, 0.0004%, and 0.0004% respectively. The surname can also be found in the United States, Germany, Serbia, Slovenia, and Australia.
The name Stjepanovic is shared by numerous notable people, from authors and musicians to scientists and politicians. Some examples include Serbian politician Tomislav Stjepanovic, Slovenian alpine skier Rok Stjepanovic, Bosnian journalist and theatre director Emir Stjepanovic, and Croatian footballer Mario Stjepanovic amongst many others.
Overall, the last name Stjepanovic is most associated with the Balkan region, and it is a testament to the legacy of the region’s long-standing cultural history.
Variations of the surname Stjepanovic
The surname Stjepanovic is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Stjepan, which is of Slavic origin. Generally, this surname is found in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Montenegro, although it may also be found in other parts of Europe, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Macedonia.
Common variants and spellings of Stjepanovic include:
1) Stipešević – written in the Croatian alphabet
2) Stjepanowitsch or Stepanowicz – more commonly used in certain parts of Poland
3) Šćepanović – in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina
4) Štefanovic – in Bulgaria
5) Stefanović – in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina
6) Štefović – in Croatia and Slovenia
7) Stefanovski – in Macedonia
In addition to the variants and spellings listed above, there are also various combinations and variations of the prefixes in the name. Some examples include: Step, Stef, Stepa, Stepan, Stefa, Stjepa, Štef, Štefa, Štepan, or Štefan. The suffixes -ovic, -evic, -ovski, or -owska can also be used.
The surnames Ćirić, Gašparac and Perić are also related to Stjepanovic as they are derived from the given name Stjepan and share a common origin.
Famous people with the name Stjepanovic
- Milica Stjepanovic: She is a Serbian actress known for her role as the female lead in the film Bedtime Stories.
- Vedran Stjepanovic: He is a Croatian handball player who is a member of the Croatian national team.
- Maja Stjepanovic: She is a Serbian lawyer and a prominent human rights advocate.
- Dijana Stjepanovic: She is a Serbian film producer and art director for various movie projects.
- Sonja Stjepanovic: She is a Serbian singer best known for her cover of the Bob Dylan classic, “Blowin' in the Wind.”
- Ivan Stjepanovic: He is a Serbian former professional footballer who played for the national team.
- Dragana Stjepanovic: She is a Serbian writer and poet who has won numerous awards for her work.
- Nico Stjepanovic: He is a soccer player from Croatia, currently playing for FC Porto in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
- Miodrag Stjepanovic: He is an award-winning Serbian actor best known for his appearances in Serbian TV shows and movies.
- Jelena Stjepanovic: She is a Serbian table tennis player who is a member of the Serbian national team.