Entry № 0137 · Hebrew, Persian origin

Esther Esther — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ ESS-ter /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Hebrew, Persian
Meaning
"Star"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 192
First recorded
Ancient (Hebrew Bible)

A name that means "star".

Esther (אֶסְתֵּר) is the Hebrew name of the queen of Persia in the Book of Esther, who saved her people from destruction. The name is generally believed to derive from the Persian setareh, meaning "star" — the same root as Soraya and the English word "star." Some scholars link it to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar.

Esther was popular in Britain and America from the 19th century onward, peaking in the early 20th. After decades of decline, it is returning in 2020s as part of the broader revival of biblical names. Today it sits in the U.S. top 200.

Star. The queen who saved her people.

The name in its native script.

אֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration
Estēr
Pronunciation
/ ˈɛs.tər /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Esther stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 192 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 138 in 1900
Babies named Esther · last year
1,647 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1880
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №138 NOW · №192

Esthers before her.

Real people
Esther Williams
American competitive swimmer and actress.
1921 – 2013
Esther Perel
Belgian-American psychotherapist and author.
born 1958
In fiction
Queen Esther
Heroine of the Book of Esther.
Hebrew Bible, c. 5th c. BCE

Names connected to Esther.

The number behind Esther.

5

The Free Spirit

Esther reduces to five — the number of brave free movement.

Why families chose this name.

"Star, in two languages. And one of the strongest women in the Bible."
Rebecca · Mother of one · Tel Aviv