Stella Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Stella Name Meaning

Fact: Stella is a popular name not just in English-speaking countries but also in Italy and across Scandinavia.

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A Deep Dive

Stella Overview

Meaning

Star

Gender

Girl

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from Latin, meaning “star.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈstɛlə/

Popularity

The name Stella has seen a resurgence in popularity. It’s ranked as 40th most used names in America in 2022.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Classic, Cute, Popular, Nature-inspired

Associated Traits

Brightness, inspiration, radiant personality

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Holds significance in Christianity as “Stella Maris,” an epithet for the Virgin Mary, symbolizing guidance and protection.

Name Day

May 11st in some cultures, which is the feast day of Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
A Deep Dive

Stella Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Estella, Estelle, Estrella, Sidera, Danica, Astria, Sidra, Steren

Common Nicknames

Stell, Ella, Elle, Essie, Star, Stelly, Selly, Elsie

Diminutives

Stellie, Elli, Tella, Stea, Ettie

Famous People

  • Stella McCartney
    (British Fashion Designer)
  • Stella Maxwell
    (Belgian-born Model)
  • Stella Tennant
    (British Model)
  • Stella Meghie
    (Canadian Film Director)
  • Stella Creasy
    (Polish-American British Politician)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Stella Kowalski
    ("A Streetcar Named Desire," Play and Film)
  • Stella Bonasera
    ("CSI: NY," TV Series)
  • "Stella"
    (TV Series)

Places

  • Stella Town
    (Missouri, USA)
  • Stella Community
    (North Carolina, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Stella?

Stella means “star.” The name is often associated with qualities like brightness and radiance, reflecting the shining light of a star in the sky.

What Is the Origin of The Name Stella?

The name Stella comes from Latin, where it directly translates to “star.” It gained popularity through literature and religious references, notably from the phrase “Stella Maris” or “star of the sea,” which is an epithet for the Virgin Mary in Christianity.

Stella Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#412021#402022#462023
Top 3 Rankings#382018#402019#402022

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Stella

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202346
(-6 from 2022)
4357
(-486 from 2022)
0.24909
202240
(+1 from 2021)
4843
(+27 from 2021)
0.27010
202141
(+1 from 2020)
4816
(+151 from 2020)
0.26881
202042
(-2 from 2019)
4665
(-327 from 2019)
0.26390
201940
(-2 from 2018)
4992
(-169 from 2018)
0.27206
201838
(+4 from 2017)
5161
(+92 from 2017)
0.27752
201742
(+3 from 2016)
5069
(+136 from 2016)
0.26832
201645
(+6 from 2015)
4933
(+137 from 2015)
0.25482
201551
(+15 from 2014)
4796
(+595 from 2014)
0.24584
201466
(+4 from 2013)
4201
(+286 from 2013)
0.21474
201370
(-8 from 2012)
3915
(-88 from 2012)
0.20309
201262
(+12 from 2011)
4003
(+305 from 2011)
0.20640
201174
(+11 from 2010)
3698
(+258 from 2010)
0.19085
201085
(+41 from 2009)
3440
(+880 from 2009)
0.17545
2009126
(+58 from 2008)
2560
(+736 from 2008)
0.12641
2008184
(+59 from 2007)
1824
(+361 from 2007)
0.08757
2007243
(-1 from 2006)
1463
(+51 from 2006)
0.06912
2006242
(+8 from 2005)
1412
(+104 from 2005)
0.06754
2005250
(+41 from 2004)
1308
(+185 from 2004)
0.06445
2004291
(+89 from 2003)
1123
(+326 from 2003)
0.05565
2003380
(+119 from 2002)
797
(+241 from 2002)
0.03972
2002499
(+99 from 2001)
556
(+134 from 2001)
0.02815
2001598
(+58 from 2000)
422
(+46 from 2000)
0.02130
2000656
(+67 from 1999)
376
(+64 from 1999)
0.01884
1999723
(+182 from 1998)
312
(+79 from 1998)
0.01603
1998905
(+108 from 1997)
233
(+43 from 1997)
0.01202
19971013
(+191 from 1996)
190
(+41 from 1996)
0.00995
19961204
(+118 from 1995)
149
(+24 from 1995)
0.00777
19951322
(-29 from 1994)
125
(-6 from 1994)
0.00651
19941293
(-208 from 1993)
131
(-36 from 1993)
0.00672
19931085
(-13 from 1992)
167
(-2 from 1992)
0.00847
19921072
(+85 from 1991)
169
(+17 from 1991)
0.00843
19911157
(-112 from 1990)
152
(-19 from 1990)
0.00748
19901045
(-31 from 1989)
171
(+2 from 1989)
0.00832
19891014
(+30 from 1988)
169
(+15 from 1988)
0.00848
19881044
(-84 from 1987)
154
(-12 from 1987)
0.00801
1987960
(+52 from 1986)
166
(+14 from 1986)
0.00886
19861012
(-25 from 1985)
152
(-2 from 1985)
0.00824
1985987
(-159 from 1984)
154
(-36 from 1984)
0.00834
1984828
(-62 from 1983)
190
(-18 from 1983)
0.01054
1983766
(-14 from 1982)
208
(-13 from 1982)
0.01162
1982752
(-22 from 1981)
221
(-6 from 1981)
0.01218
1981730
No change from 1980
227
(-1 from 1980)
0.01269
1980730
(+18 from 1979)
228
(+12 from 1979)
0.01280
1979748
(-87 from 1978)
216
(-27 from 1978)
0.01253
1978661
(+8 from 1977)
243
(+8 from 1977)
0.01478
1977669
(+54 from 1976)
235
(+33 from 1976)
0.01429
1976723
(-95 from 1975)
202
(-49 from 1975)
0.01285
1975628
(-5 from 1974)
251
(+1 from 1974)
0.01608
1974623
(+19 from 1973)
250
(+16 from 1973)
0.01596
1973642
(-66 from 1972)
234
(-51 from 1972)
0.01506
1972576
(+7 from 1971)
285
(-14 from 1971)
0.01767
1971583
(-40 from 1970)
299
(-48 from 1970)
0.01706
1970543
(+8 from 1969)
347
(+27 from 1969)
0.01894
1969551
(-38 from 1968)
320
(-36 from 1968)
0.01815
1968513
(-46 from 1967)
356
(-55 from 1967)
0.02082
1967467
(-11 from 1966)
411
(-18 from 1966)
0.02394
1966456
(-45 from 1965)
429
(-82 from 1965)
0.02443
1965411
(+1 from 1964)
511
(-50 from 1964)
0.02796
1964412
(+1 from 1963)
561
(+20 from 1963)
0.02866
1963413
(-34 from 1962)
541
(-73 from 1962)
0.02721
1962379
(+15 from 1961)
614
(+17 from 1961)
0.03029
1961394
(-11 from 1960)
597
(-20 from 1960)
0.02874
1960383
(-5 from 1959)
617
(-22 from 1959)
0.02967
1959378
(-26 from 1958)
639
(-44 from 1958)
0.03074
1958352
(-15 from 1957)
683
(-49 from 1957)
0.03306
1957337
(-21 from 1956)
732
(-33 from 1956)
0.03489
1956316
(-11 from 1955)
765
(-29 from 1955)
0.03714
1955305
(-13 from 1954)
794
(-58 from 1954)
0.03960
1954292
(-29 from 1953)
852
(-104 from 1953)
0.04280
1953263
(-15 from 1952)
956
(-40 from 1952)
0.04955
1952248
(-8 from 1951)
996
(-64 from 1951)
0.05237
1951240
(-14 from 1950)
1060
(-53 from 1950)
0.05738
1950226
(-11 from 1949)
1113
(-107 from 1949)
0.06329
1949215
(-14 from 1948)
1220
(-124 from 1948)
0.06950
1948201
(-1 from 1947)
1344
(+9 from 1947)
0.07712
1947200
(+9 from 1946)
1335
(+174 from 1946)
0.07344
1946209
(-11 from 1945)
1161
(+168 from 1945)
0.07198
1945198
No change from 1944
993
(-24 from 1944)
0.07377
1944198
(-10 from 1943)
1017
(-165 from 1943)
0.07442
1943188
No change from 1942
1182
(+56 from 1942)
0.08235
1942188
(-4 from 1941)
1126
(+103 from 1941)
0.08098
1941184
(+8 from 1940)
1023
(+61 from 1940)
0.08210
1940192
(-4 from 1939)
962
(+8 from 1939)
0.08143
1939188
(+12 from 1938)
954
(+77 from 1938)
0.08412
1938200
(-5 from 1937)
877
(-39 from 1937)
0.07683
1937195
(-9 from 1936)
916
(-51 from 1936)
0.08313
1936186
(+1 from 1935)
967
(+22 from 1935)
0.08974
1935187
(-18 from 1934)
945
(-149 from 1934)
0.08696
1934169
(-6 from 1933)
1094
(-29 from 1933)
0.10108
1933163
(-13 from 1932)
1123
(-217 from 1932)
0.10736
1932150
(-8 from 1931)
1340
(-79 from 1931)
0.12112
1931142
(-2 from 1930)
1419
(-150 from 1930)
0.12857
1930140
(-4 from 1929)
1569
(-122 from 1929)
0.13451
1929136
(-5 from 1928)
1691
(-113 from 1928)
0.14608
1928131
(-8 from 1927)
1804
(-308 from 1927)
0.15090
1927123
(-2 from 1926)
2112
(-79 from 1926)
0.17081
1926121
(-7 from 1925)
2191
(-211 from 1925)
0.17811
1925114
(-9 from 1924)
2402
(-350 from 1924)
0.19017
1924105
(-9 from 1923)
2752
(-204 from 1923)
0.21240
192396
(-8 from 1922)
2956
(-210 from 1922)
0.23601
192288
(-2 from 1921)
3166
(-169 from 1921)
0.25377
192186
(-4 from 1920)
3335
(-157 from 1920)
0.26060
192082
(-12 from 1919)
3492
(-208 from 1919)
0.28070
191970
(-3 from 1918)
3700
(-228 from 1918)
0.31499
191867
(-5 from 1917)
3928
(+56 from 1917)
0.32669
191762
(+1 from 1916)
3872
(+54 from 1916)
0.34458
191663
(+1 from 1915)
3818
(+161 from 1915)
0.35166
191564
(+1 from 1914)
3657
(+886 from 1914)
0.35718
191465
(+4 from 1913)
2771
(+566 from 1913)
0.34784
191369
(+4 from 1912)
2205
(+371 from 1912)
0.33669
191273
(-1 from 1911)
1834
(+412 from 1911)
0.31259
191172
No change from 1910
1422
(+103 from 1910)
0.32185
191072
(-2 from 1909)
1319
(+131 from 1909)
0.31440
190970
(-3 from 1908)
1188
(-28 from 1908)
0.32274
190867
(+3 from 1907)
1216
(+66 from 1907)
0.34299
190770
(-5 from 1906)
1150
(+9 from 1906)
0.34081
190665
(+2 from 1905)
1141
(+44 from 1905)
0.36403
190567
(+1 from 1904)
1097
(+71 from 1904)
0.35403
190468
(-4 from 1903)
1026
(+10 from 1903)
0.35085
190364
(-1 from 1902)
1016
(-59 from 1902)
0.36521
190263
(+2 from 1901)
1075
(+147 from 1901)
0.38348
190165
(+3 from 1900)
928
(-249 from 1900)
0.36503
190068
(-6 from 1899)
1177
(+202 from 1899)
0.37043
189962
(+3 from 1898)
975
(-87 from 1898)
0.39396
189865
(-1 from 1897)
1062
(+96 from 1897)
0.38738
189764
(-4 from 1896)
966
(-88 from 1896)
0.38908
189660
No change from 1895
1054
(+28 from 1895)
0.41827
189560
(+1 from 1894)
1026
(-9 from 1894)
0.41521
189461
(+2 from 1893)
1035
(+109 from 1893)
0.43861
189363
(-4 from 1892)
926
(-46 from 1892)
0.41113
189259
No change from 1891
972
(+105 from 1891)
0.43217
189159
(-3 from 1890)
867
(-57 from 1890)
0.44107
189056
(-1 from 1889)
924
(+33 from 1889)
0.45819
188955
(+9 from 1888)
891
(+116 from 1888)
0.47089
188864
(-5 from 1887)
775
(+111 from 1887)
0.40909
188759
(-2 from 1886)
664
(-38 from 1886)
0.42722
188657
No change from 1885
702
(+53 from 1885)
0.45663
188557
(+3 from 1884)
649
(+65 from 1884)
0.45721
188460
(-1 from 1883)
584
(+55 from 1883)
0.42446
188359
(+2 from 1882)
529
(+23 from 1882)
0.44061
188261
(+2 from 1881)
506
(+90 from 1881)
0.43736
188163
(-3 from 1880)
416
(+2 from 1880)
0.42082
188060
First SSA data recorded
414
First SSA data recorded
0.42416

American States Popularity Rankings for Stella

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#592021#582022#612023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#422021#382022#412023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#472021#452022#472023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#612021#582022#622023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#432021#492022#482023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#392021#332022#392023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#372021#402022#412023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#422021#442022#482023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#342021#502022#262023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#412021#362022#442023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#362021#362022#362023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#512021#552022#502023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#292021#262022#372023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#562021#452022#632023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#582021#632022#492023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#222021#282022#312023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#262021#242022#662023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#472021#422022#402023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#742021#412022#362023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#252021#312022#422023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#352021#442022#332023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#422021#352022#402023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#542021#332022#582023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#262021#342022#322023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#572021#562022#532023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#662021#462022#612023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#372021#432022#242023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#392021#332022#572023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#272021#452022#422023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#492021#592022#482023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#522021#652022#682023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1462021#722022#1292023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#362021#372022#322023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#312021#272022#1052023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#272021#362022#282023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#392021#382022#772023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#392021#402022#682023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#342021#382022#302023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#542021#362022#862023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#192021#422022#392023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#382021#592022#712023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#412021#342022#1172023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#912021#352022#422023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#552021#752022#642023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#872021#402022#412023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#462021#462022#422023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#372020#842021#362022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1362021#312022#952023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#542021#422022#672023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#382021#312022#622023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#282020#202021#962022

Popularity Rankings for Stella 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#362014#82021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#172021#92022#112023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#832021#112022#582023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#352021#312022#272023

Popularity in Finland

Finland flagFinland#402020#502022#382023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#462021#502022#482023

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#492019#532020#632021

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#622020#502021#892022

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#592021#662022#672023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#642021#612022#622023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#682021#712022#722023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#762020#702021#752022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#802020#772021#792022

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#962020#1142021#1062022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1082021#1132022#972023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1252021#1462022#1372023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#1472021#1832022#1742023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1542019#1612020#1472021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2612021#1562022#2502023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1812021#2182022#3022023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3732019#2942020#3182021

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

Is Stella a Name for Boys or Girls?

Stella is predominantly a name given to girls. The name’s association with the beauty and guiding light of a star makes it a popular choice for baby girl.

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

Stella in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Stella McCartney (Fashion Designer, born 1971): A British fashion designer renowned for her commitment to sustainable and cruelty-free fashion. She is also the daughter of the legendary musician Paul McCartney.
  • Stella Maxwell (Model, born 1990): A Belgian-born model known for her work with Victoria's Secret and high-fashion brands, holding citizenships in Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand.
  • Stella Tennant (Model, 1970-2020): A British model celebrated for her unique androgynous appearance and significant impact on the fashion industry.
  • Stella Meghie (Film Director): A notable film director known for her works such as "Everything, Everything" and "The Photograph."
  • Stella Creasy (Politician, born 1977): A British Labour Party politician known for her advocacy on social justice and women's rights.
  • Stella Walsh (Athlete, 1911-1980): An Olympic gold medalist in track and field, remembered for her exceptional athletic achievements.
  • Stella Young (Comedian and Disability Rights Activist, 1982-2014): An Australian comedian and activist known for her work in promoting disability rights and challenging societal norms.
  • Stella Stevens (Actress, 1938-2023): An American actress famous for her roles in several classic Hollywood films.
  • Stella Hudgens (Actress, born 1995): An American actress known for her roles in various television shows and movies, and sister of actress Vanessa Hudgens.
  • Stella Mwangi (Rapper, born 1986): A Kenyan-Norwegian rapper and singer, notable for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Norway.
  • Stella Kowalski ("A Streetcar Named Desire", 1951 Play and Film): A main character from Tennessee Williams' famous play and its film adaptation, known for being in a turbulent relationship with her husband, Stanley.
  • Stella Bonasera ("CSI: NY", 2004 TV Series): A fictional character portrayed as a skilled and compassionate detective.
  • "Stella" (TV Series, 2012-2017): A British comedy-drama television series that centers on the life of Stella Morris, a single mother living in the Welsh valleys.
  • Stella Town (Missouri, USA): A small town in Missouri, known for its quiet community and rural charm.
  • Stella Community (North Carolina, USA): Another small community, located in North Carolina with a peaceful rural lifestyle.

Similar Names to Stella