Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens – The Great Escape Festival 2011 – Day 3 – Brighton Dome – Brighton, UK – Photo Credit: Landmark / PR Photos

Place of Birth: Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 1, 1975

Ethnicity: Greek, Lithuanian

Sufjan Stevens is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

Sufjan’s mother was of Greek origin. He is also said to be of Lithuanian descent.

Sufjan is a Persian name, which means “comes with a sword.” When he was born, his parents belonged to Subud, an interfaith spiritual community, whose founder gave Sufjan the name.

Sufjan’s maternal grandfather was Nick/Nicholas Marabeas (the son of Gustave/Gust O. Marabeas and Carrie/Kyriakoula O. Alexander/Alexandros/Alexandreas). Gustave was from Kalamata, Mesinia, Greece.

Sufjan’s maternal grandmother was Stella Kellepouris/Thomas (the daughter of Nick Thomas and Virginia Ballas). Stella was born in Michigan, and was also of Greek descent.

Sources: Genealogy of Sufjan Stevens (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Sufjan’s maternal grandfather, Nick/Nicholas Marabeas, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Sufjan’s maternal grandmother, Stella Kellepouris/Thomas, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

3 Responses

  1. madman says:

    His mother was American, not Greek.

  2. bablah says:

    These are likely his great-grandparents Gust Marabeas and Carrie/Kyriakoula Alexandros/Alexandreas:
    https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?viewrecord=1&r=an&db=CuyahogaOHmarriages&indiv=try&h=1270628

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