Once a common name in the AFL, the prevalence of Steves, Stephens, and Stevens has significantly dwindled. Following the unexpected retirement of Steven May from Melbourne prior to the season, only one player bears the name—Stephen Coniglio of Greater Western Sydney. This shift marks the culmination of a long-term decline that began in the early 1990s when over 25 players named Steve played in the league.
Name trends in the AFL, much like those for all baby names, appear to follow a cyclical pattern. Currently, the most frequently occurring name in the AFL for 2026 is Jack, with Tom, Sam, and Lachlan also prominent. This year, nearly 30 players are named Jack, a stark contrast to the limited number seen during several decades starting in the 1980s.
This naming trend reflects the legacy of notable families within the sport. Hall of Famer Stephen Silvagni, who played from the 1980s until the early 2000s during the peak of the Steve era, has a son, Jack Silvagni, who represents the recent surge in Jacks over the past ten years.
Other names such as Mark, Peter, David, and Darren were once widely used during the 1980s and 1990s but have become rare in contemporary rosters. As the league evolves, one wonders if Scott Pendlebury will mark the last hurrah for players named Scott.
- Names of AFL players sourced from AFL Tables and do not include players who did not participate in any matches during the season.
- Commonly shortened names were normalized and combined (for example, Josh and Joshua) for analysis, though this was not applicable to all names.
