E. Rossoni explains that this is a surname of Greek origin, derived from the Italianization of the Greek —especially Athenian— patronymic surname Stephanaki or Stefanaki, meaning "son of Stefano". He locates it in Apulia, especially in the Bari and Lecce areas.

G. Rohlfs agrees on the Greek-Byzantine origin of the surname, but broadens its geographical scope by recording it also in Lucania (Matera area), besides the Bari area and the Salento. Rohlfs interprets it as a hypocoristic of the name Stèfano and notes that in Greece it survives as the surname Stephanàkis. He adds that the surname reflects the Byzantine presence in southern Italy.