Stavros ([ˈstavros], Greek Σταύρος) is a Greek name. It comes from σταυρóς, the Christian cross, distinguished from it by having the accent on the first syllable (cf. Christos). It was adopted as a name commemorating the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Unlike other names of Greek origin (Alexander, Nicholas, Peter, Stephen) that have been adopted widely, Stavros as a given name is largely confined to Greeks.
Female versions of the name are Stavroula (much more common) and Stavriani (rare).
The nominative form Stavros is not used as a surname in Greek, but is sometimes found as a shortened form of, e.g., Stavropoulos, outside of Greece. The patronymic, in the genitive form Stavrou, is commonly found as a surname.
In English, Stavros is sometimes anglicised as Steve, which actually is the English form of the Greek name Stephanos.
Contents
Surname
Gus Stavros, (1925–2022) American entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist
Jasmin Stavros (Milo Vasić, 1954–2023), Croatian pop musician
Fictional characters
Stavros, a comic character played by Harry Enfield
General Stavros, in Command & Conquer: Red Alert
Detective Demosthenes Stavros, a recurring character on the U.S. television series Kojak portrayed by George Savalas.
Stavros, a demigod played by Ryan Handley, in Episode 5, season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Stavros Katsopolis, the swarthy doppelgänger cousin of Jesse Katsopolis in the episode Kissing Cousins from the television sitcom Full House.
Ernst Stavro Blofeld, an antagonist in the James Bond novels and films
Locations
Stavronikita
Stavropol
Stavropol Krai