Esther Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Esther Name Meaning

Fact: Esther’s story is central to the Jewish festival of Purim, which celebrates her courage and the deliverance of the Jewish people. During Purim, the Megillah (Book of Esther) is read, and festivities include costumes, feasts, and giving gifts.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Esther Overview

Meaning

Star

Gender

Girl

Origin

Persian

Etymology

Originated from the Persian word “stara,” meaning “star.”

Religion

Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈɛs.tər/

Popularity

Esther is a classic name with enduring appeal, popular in many cultures worldwide. In the USA, it ranked at 153rd for girls in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Nature-inspired, Classic, Vintage

Associated Traits

Radiant, wise, graceful, resilient

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Esther is significant in Jewish and Christian traditions as a biblical heroine who saved her people.

Name Day

July 1 (Swede)
A Deep Dive

Esther Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Ester, Estera, Hester, Eszter, Estelle

Common Nicknames

Essie, Ettie, Star, Tess, Estee

Diminutives

Es, Esti, Etty, Esta, Esha

Famous People

  • Esther Williams
    (American Actress)
  • Esther Rolle
    (American Actress)
  • Esther Dyson
    (American Entrepreneur)
  • Esther Hicks
    (American Author)
  • Esther McVey
    (British Politician)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Esther Greenwood
    ("The Bell Jar," Novel)
  • Esther Mikaelson
    ("The Originals," TV Series)
  • "Orphan"
    (Film)
  • Esther Summerson
    ("Bleak House," Novel)
  • Esther
    ("The Book of Esther," Biblical Text)
  • Esther Blodgett
    ("A Star is Born," Film)

Places

  • Esther Lake
    (Minnesota, USA)
  • Esther Island
    (Alaska, USA)
  • Esther Street
    (Sydney, Australia)

What Is the Meaning of Esther?

Esther means “star” in Persian. Often, this name evokes a sense of brilliance and elegance, symbolizing someone who shines brightly and stands out in any crowd.

What Is the Origin of The Name Esther?

The name Esther originates from ancient Persia and is derived from the Persian word “stara.” It became widely known due to the biblical figure Queen Esther, whose story of bravery is celebrated in Jewish tradition.

Esther Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Esther in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1532021#1382022#1382023
Top 3 Rankings#271896#281897#291899

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Esther

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023138
No change from 2022
2008
(-73 from 2022)
0.11480
2022138
(+15 from 2021)
2081
(+239 from 2021)
0.11606
2021153
(-5 from 2020)
1842
(+14 from 2020)
0.10282
2020148
(+17 from 2019)
1828
(+98 from 2019)
0.10341
2019165
(-14 from 2018)
1730
(-125 from 2018)
0.09428
2018151
(+14 from 2017)
1855
(+19 from 2017)
0.09975
2017165
(+17 from 2016)
1836
(+22 from 2016)
0.09719
2016182
(+21 from 2015)
1814
(+192 from 2015)
0.09370
2015203
(-3 from 2014)
1622
(-45 from 2014)
0.08314
2014200
(+22 from 2013)
1667
(+228 from 2013)
0.08521
2013222
(+17 from 2012)
1439
(+97 from 2012)
0.07465
2012239
(-6 from 2011)
1342
(-13 from 2011)
0.06919
2011233
(+27 from 2010)
1355
(+96 from 2010)
0.06993
2010260
No change from 2009
1259
(+8 from 2009)
0.06421
2009260
(+7 from 2008)
1251
(-29 from 2008)
0.06178
2008267
(+5 from 2007)
1280
(+21 from 2007)
0.06145
2007272
(+15 from 2006)
1259
(+106 from 2006)
0.05948
2006287
(-12 from 2005)
1153
(-45 from 2005)
0.05515
2005275
(+19 from 2004)
1198
(+88 from 2004)
0.05903
2004294
(-11 from 2003)
1110
(+14 from 2003)
0.05501
2003283
(+13 from 2002)
1096
(+38 from 2002)
0.05462
2002296
(-3 from 2001)
1058
(-13 from 2001)
0.05357
2001293
(+30 from 2000)
1071
(+89 from 2000)
0.05407
2000323
(-13 from 1999)
982
(-11 from 1999)
0.04920
1999310
(+11 from 1998)
993
(+52 from 1998)
0.05101
1998321
(-6 from 1997)
941
(+7 from 1997)
0.04854
1997315
(+2 from 1996)
934
(+44 from 1996)
0.04892
1996317
(-17 from 1995)
890
(-33 from 1995)
0.04642
1995300
(-13 from 1994)
923
(-35 from 1994)
0.04803
1994287
(+12 from 1993)
958
(+51 from 1993)
0.04914
1993299
(-8 from 1992)
907
(-41 from 1992)
0.04600
1992291
(+7 from 1991)
948
(+13 from 1991)
0.04729
1991298
(-15 from 1990)
935
(-47 from 1990)
0.04598
1990283
(+6 from 1989)
982
(+78 from 1989)
0.04780
1989289
(-13 from 1988)
904
(-9 from 1988)
0.04538
1988276
(+13 from 1987)
913
(+65 from 1987)
0.04748
1987289
(-5 from 1986)
848
(-13 from 1986)
0.04525
1986284
(+4 from 1985)
861
(+2 from 1985)
0.04665
1985288
(-17 from 1984)
859
(-25 from 1984)
0.04653
1984271
(+2 from 1983)
884
(+24 from 1983)
0.04902
1983273
(-6 from 1982)
860
(-75 from 1982)
0.04805
1982267
(+5 from 1981)
935
(+22 from 1981)
0.05154
1981272
(+23 from 1980)
913
(+72 from 1980)
0.05105
1980295
(+17 from 1979)
841
(+76 from 1979)
0.04723
1979312
(+8 from 1978)
765
(+49 from 1978)
0.04439
1978320
(-10 from 1977)
716
(-51 from 1977)
0.04356
1977310
(+26 from 1976)
767
(+109 from 1976)
0.04663
1976336
(-17 from 1975)
658
(-59 from 1975)
0.04186
1975319
(-5 from 1974)
717
(-10 from 1974)
0.04594
1974314
(-2 from 1973)
727
(-19 from 1973)
0.04642
1973312
(+20 from 1972)
746
(+55 from 1972)
0.04800
1972332
No change from 1971
691
(-92 from 1971)
0.04285
1971332
(+16 from 1970)
783
(+57 from 1970)
0.04468
1970348
(-11 from 1969)
726
(+20 from 1969)
0.03963
1969337
(-15 from 1968)
706
(-24 from 1968)
0.04005
1968322
(-8 from 1967)
730
(-31 from 1967)
0.04270
1967314
(-24 from 1966)
761
(-108 from 1966)
0.04433
1966290
(-10 from 1965)
869
(-96 from 1965)
0.04949
1965280
(+4 from 1964)
965
(-61 from 1964)
0.05281
1964284
(-21 from 1963)
1026
(-96 from 1963)
0.05242
1963263
(-11 from 1962)
1122
(-131 from 1962)
0.05644
1962252
(-15 from 1961)
1253
(-63 from 1961)
0.06182
1961237
(-4 from 1960)
1316
(-47 from 1960)
0.06336
1960233
(+1 from 1959)
1363
(+7 from 1959)
0.06554
1959234
(-8 from 1958)
1356
(+11 from 1958)
0.06524
1958226
(-9 from 1957)
1345
(-135 from 1957)
0.06511
1957217
(-8 from 1956)
1480
(-30 from 1956)
0.07054
1956209
(-8 from 1955)
1510
(-59 from 1955)
0.07332
1955201
(-8 from 1954)
1569
(-64 from 1954)
0.07826
1954193
(-1 from 1953)
1633
(+20 from 1953)
0.08203
1953192
(-13 from 1952)
1613
(-98 from 1952)
0.08360
1952179
(-10 from 1951)
1711
(-97 from 1951)
0.08996
1951169
(-7 from 1950)
1808
(+68 from 1950)
0.09787
1950162
No change from 1949
1740
(-53 from 1949)
0.09895
1949162
(-7 from 1948)
1793
(-54 from 1948)
0.10214
1948155
(+7 from 1947)
1847
(+6 from 1947)
0.10599
1947162
(-11 from 1946)
1841
(+62 from 1946)
0.10127
1946151
(+9 from 1945)
1779
(+313 from 1945)
0.11030
1945160
(-8 from 1944)
1466
(-146 from 1944)
0.10891
1944152
(-1 from 1943)
1612
(-146 from 1943)
0.11796
1943151
(-9 from 1942)
1758
(-74 from 1942)
0.12247
1942142
(-4 from 1941)
1832
(+22 from 1941)
0.13175
1941138
(-7 from 1940)
1810
(-90 from 1940)
0.14527
1940131
(-14 from 1939)
1900
(-210 from 1939)
0.16083
1939117
(+3 from 1938)
2110
(-22 from 1938)
0.18606
1938120
(-4 from 1937)
2132
(-24 from 1937)
0.18678
1937116
(-9 from 1936)
2156
(-97 from 1936)
0.19567
1936107
(-13 from 1935)
2253
(-290 from 1935)
0.20908
193594
(-3 from 1934)
2543
(-35 from 1934)
0.23400
193491
(-3 from 1933)
2578
(-98 from 1933)
0.23819
193388
(-6 from 1932)
2676
(-283 from 1932)
0.25582
193282
(-3 from 1931)
2959
(-75 from 1931)
0.26747
193179
(-2 from 1930)
3034
(-316 from 1930)
0.27489
193077
(-6 from 1929)
3350
(-236 from 1929)
0.28719
192971
(-5 from 1928)
3586
(-510 from 1928)
0.30979
192866
(-2 from 1927)
4096
(-231 from 1927)
0.34261
192764
(-2 from 1926)
4327
(-127 from 1926)
0.34996
192662
(-6 from 1925)
4454
(-272 from 1925)
0.36206
192556
(-5 from 1924)
4726
(-532 from 1924)
0.37417
192451
(-4 from 1923)
5258
(-57 from 1923)
0.40581
192347
(-3 from 1922)
5315
(-159 from 1922)
0.42436
192244
(-2 from 1921)
5474
(-452 from 1921)
0.43877
192142
(-3 from 1920)
5926
(-142 from 1920)
0.46307
192039
(-1 from 1919)
6068
(-180 from 1919)
0.48777
191938
No change from 1918
6248
(-326 from 1918)
0.53191
191838
No change from 1917
6574
(+293 from 1917)
0.54676
191738
(-4 from 1916)
6281
(-140 from 1916)
0.55896
191634
(-1 from 1915)
6421
(+100 from 1915)
0.59141
191533
(+2 from 1914)
6321
(+1667 from 1914)
0.61737
191435
(-3 from 1913)
4654
(+564 from 1913)
0.58421
191332
(+1 from 1912)
4090
(+521 from 1912)
0.62451
191233
(+1 from 1911)
3569
(+893 from 1911)
0.60830
191134
(+4 from 1910)
2676
(+298 from 1910)
0.60568
191038
(-1 from 1909)
2378
(+193 from 1909)
0.56683
190937
(-1 from 1908)
2185
(-2 from 1908)
0.59360
190836
(+1 from 1907)
2187
(+125 from 1907)
0.61687
190737
(-4 from 1906)
2062
(-3 from 1906)
0.61108
190633
(+1 from 1905)
2065
(+72 from 1905)
0.65883
190534
(-2 from 1904)
1993
(+36 from 1904)
0.64319
190432
(+2 from 1903)
1957
(+74 from 1903)
0.66921
190334
(+1 from 1902)
1883
(+50 from 1902)
0.67686
190235
(-2 from 1901)
1833
(-11 from 1901)
0.65387
190133
(+6 from 1900)
1844
(-173 from 1900)
0.72533
190039
(-10 from 1899)
2017
(+194 from 1899)
0.63480
189929
(+2 from 1898)
1823
(-224 from 1898)
0.73660
189831
(-3 from 1897)
2047
(+136 from 1897)
0.74668
189728
(-1 from 1896)
1911
(-53 from 1896)
0.76971
189627
(+4 from 1895)
1964
(+161 from 1895)
0.77939
189531
(+5 from 1894)
1803
(+149 from 1894)
0.72965
189436
(+3 from 1893)
1654
(+272 from 1893)
0.70093
189339
(+28 from 1892)
1382
(+558 from 1892)
0.61359
189267
(-1 from 1891)
824
(+114 from 1891)
0.36636
189166
(+9 from 1890)
710
(+91 from 1890)
0.36120
189075
No change from 1889
619
(+66 from 1889)
0.30695
188975
(+2 from 1888)
553
(-19 from 1888)
0.29226
188877
(+2 from 1887)
572
(+141 from 1887)
0.30193
188779
(+6 from 1886)
431
(+35 from 1886)
0.27731
188685
(+7 from 1885)
396
(+76 from 1885)
0.25759
188592
(+7 from 1884)
320
(+29 from 1884)
0.22544
188499
No change from 1883
291
(+31 from 1883)
0.21151
188399
(-2 from 1882)
260
(-6 from 1882)
0.21656
188297
(+8 from 1881)
266
(+77 from 1881)
0.22992
1881105
(-1 from 1880)
189
(-9 from 1880)
0.19119
1880104
First SSA data recorded
198
First SSA data recorded
0.20286

American States Popularity Rankings for Esther

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#242021#132022#262023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1662021#1282022#1312023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2522021#2412022#2032023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3132021#2952022#2392023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1982021#1982022#1602023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3362021#2222022#2042023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2592021#2132022#1842023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#192021#172022#232023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1722021#1542022#2092023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1702021#1712022#1542023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1622021#1592022#892023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3712021#2572022#2032023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1502021#1112022#1082023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1612021#1702022#1232023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1602021#1322022#1542023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2422021#1602022#1352023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1662021#2352022#1692023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2012021#1632022#1442023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1632021#1312022#1542023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1232021#962022#1272023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2662021#3012022#2612023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2902021#2302022#2632023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2042021#2422022#2772023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1672021#1512022#1282023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3802021#2892022#3092023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4472021#3602022#3212023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2202021#1962022#2552023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3472021#1782022#2322023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2262021#2052022#2022023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1592021#2432022#2022023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2292021#2182022#2342023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4072015#4072016#2782020

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1802021#2042022#1522023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2322021#2942022#2532023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4532021#2092022#2062023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2272021#2062022#2212023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3261982#3622016#3632017

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5772021#3372022#5742023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2532021#2322022#2062023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1342021#2082022#622023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1862019#2182020#2162023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2202018#1782019#1262022

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#872021#822022#2042023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1702021#1882022#1482023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1482018#1432020#1832021

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1291949#1352017#1872023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1301946#1241948#1351952

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1631955#1641956#1411957

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1612018#1172021#372023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1642016#1512018#1952019

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#5572019#3932020#1972022

Popularity Rankings for Esther in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#362002#212005#32007

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#212021#202022#15First half of 2023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#572022#502023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1042021#1142022#792023

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#852008#982009#952010

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#1102019#1052020#1192021

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1802019#1672020#1662021

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1821998#1711999#1962021

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#2042021#1932022#1782023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1812018#1832020#1852021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1832020#2012021#1992022

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1991983#1961984#1871986

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1911999#1942005#1962006

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2772021#1932022#2562023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1942013#1962014#1942015

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1952020#2052021#2102022

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#2432020#2082021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2842021#2222022#2472023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#2522021#2502022#2412023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3162021#3242022#2502023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2972022#3912023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3552017#3612018#4182022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4512014#5482015#3802020

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4962020#7382021#4442022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Esther a Name for Boys or Girls?

Esther is used for girls. This name has been a favorite among parents for its elegant and timeless appeal, highlighting its feminine grace.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Esther

Esther in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places