Stephany

Stephany is an English variation of Stéphanie, the French female equivalent of Stephen. Stephen is a highly significant name among Christians, as it’s borne by history’s first martyr in Roman Catholic tradition. The name comes from the Greek word “stephanos” meaning “garland crown” since Stephen was the first disciple of Jesus’ to receive the martyr's crown. His story is told in Acts of the Apostles 6-7 wherein the apostles ordained seven deacons to look after the care of widows and the poor, and of those chosen administrators, Stephen was the most famous. He is remembered for his eloquence and wisdom which gained many followers of Jesus. In fact, Stephen’s missionary work was so successful that he attracted the notice of some very bad men. They accuse Stephen of blasphemy against Moses and God in front of an assembly of men which Stephen faced bravely (legend has it that his face took on the formation of an angel). The men exacted the requisite ancient punishment of stoning to death. In his parting words, Stephen selflessly asks only for his enemies’ salvation: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” [Acts 7:60]. As it turned out, Stephen’s public stoning had the exact opposite effect his executioners had intended because many Christ followers fled Jerusalem fearing for their lives to Judea and Samaria, taking with them (and subsequently spreading) a belief system that had been relatively confined to Jerusalem. As the first Christian martyr, Stephen’s feast day comes right after Jesus’ on December 26. It was the French who mainly popularized the female Stéphanie (pronounced stay-fa-NEE).