200+ Baby Names That Mean Star (Celestial Picks for 2026)

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Star names show up in nearly every language on record — stella in Latin, najm in Arabic, tara in Sanskrit — because long before clocks and calendars, the night sky was how people marked time and told stories. This list gathers the soft Latinate favorites, the morning-star names, the constellation and myth names, and the root words scattered across Arabic and Sanskrit that don’t get nearly enough attention. Some of these will feel instantly familiar, others less so.

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Popularity below is calculated from Social Security Administration data through 2024, the most recent year on record.

Here’s what’s in store –

Classic Latin Stars — Stella, Estelle, and the Whole Stellar Family

Arabic Star Names — Najma, Sitara, and the Night-Sky Tradition

Sanskrit & Hindi Star Names — Tara, Nakshatra, and the 27 Lunar Mansions

Greek & Latin Constellations — Names Pulled Straight From the Night Sky

Hawaiian, Maori, and Pacific Island Star Names

Hebrew, Yiddish, and Jewish Tradition

Japanese, Korean, and East Asian Star Names

Celtic, Slavic, and Northern European Stars

Morning-Star and Dawn Names

Indigenous American & African Star Names

I went deep on this one. What I found is that “names that mean star” splits into surprisingly distinct flavors. There are the soft Latinate Stellas and Estelles that feel like they belong on a sunlit baby book. There are the morning-star names — Lucifer in its older, pre-Milton sense; Aurora; Tara — that carry the specific image of a single bright point before dawn. There are constellation names, hero-and-myth names, and a whole world of root-word variants in Arabic (Najm, Najma, Sitara, Zohra) and Sanskrit (Tara, Nakshatra, Rohini) that English speakers are only starting to discover.

I’ve grouped the 200+ below by feeling and origin rather than alphabetizing, because honestly, “Stella” and “Sitara” both mean star but they live in entirely different rooms. A few are heavy old-world picks. A few are crisp one-syllable nicknames that wear well on a kindergartener. A few are deep cuts you’ve genuinely never heard before — and those are often my favorites, because a name that means star in a language most of your neighbors don’t speak is its own kind of quiet magic.

A note on accuracy: I’ve tried to be honest about origins. When a name traveled (and most of these did — star words crossed the Silk Road, the Mediterranean, and the Polynesian Pacific), I’ve named the source language rather than where it ended up. Use this list like a map, not a checklist. The right name is the one you can’t stop saying out loud.

Classic Latin Stars — Stella, Estelle, and the Whole Stellar Family

These are the names you already half-know. They come from the Latin stella (star) and the older Proto-Indo-European root ster-, and they’ve been quietly popular for centuries. Soft, feminine-leaning, and timeless — though several work beautifully on boys too.

Stella

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: STEL-ah · ˈstɛlə
Meaning: star
Popularity: #49 and falling (#46 → #49, 2024)

The undisputed queen; sharp, classic, and ages from baby to CEO without flinching.

Estelle

Origin: Occitan (ultimately from Latin stella)
Pronunciation: es-TEL · ɛˈstɛl
Meaning: star
Popularity: #636 and rising (#710 → #636, 2024)

A grandmother name in the best way — embroidered and elegant.

Estella

Origin: Latin (via French Estelle)
Pronunciation: es-TEL-uh · ɛˈstɛlə
Meaning: star
Popularity: #501 and rising (#611 → #501, 2024)

Slightly softer than Stella; carries a Dickens-era romance.

Esther

Origin: Hebrew (Biblical), root disputed
Pronunciation: ES-ter · ˈɛstər
Meaning: star
Popularity: #131 and rising (#138 → #131, 2024)

Often grouped with the Latin set because of its meaning, though it actually predates them via the Persian *setareh*.

Estrella

Origin: Spanish (from Latin stella)
Pronunciation: es-TREY-uh · ɛˈstreɪə
Meaning: star
Popularity: #619 and rising (#683 → #619, 2024)

Rolling and bright; common across Latin America with the nickname Estrellita.

Estela

Origin: Portuguese/Occitan (from Latin stella)
Pronunciation: es-TEL-ah · ɛsˈtɛlə
Meaning: star
Popularity: #1,749 and falling (#1,582 → #1,749, 2024)

The slimmer cousin of Estrella; popular in Brazil.

Estrela

Origin: Portuguese
Pronunciation: esh-TREH-lah · ɨʃˈtɾelɐ
Meaning: Star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pure Portuguese spelling; rare in the US and all the better for it.

Etoile

Origin: French
Pronunciation: ay-TWAHL · eɪˈtwɑːl
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Astra

Origin: Latin/Greek
Pronunciation: AS-truh · ˈæstrə
Meaning: star
Popularity: #3,167 and falling (#2,936 → #3,167, 2024)

Sleek and modern-sounding despite being ancient.

Astrea

Origin: Greek (mythological)
Pronunciation: uh-STREE-uh · əˈstriːə
Meaning: of the stars, star-maiden
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The starry virgin goddess of justice; lofty and a little fierce.

Astraea

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: uh-STREE-uh · əˈstriːə
Meaning: starry one, linked to the Greek goddess of stars and justice
Popularity: #2,096 and rising (#2,157 → #2,096, 2024)

Classical spelling of Astrea, with extra mythological weight.

Astri

Origin: Old Norse (short form of Astrid)
Pronunciation: AHS-tree · ˈɑːstri
Meaning: a pet form of Astrid, combining Old Norse elements for ‘god’ and ‘beautiful/beloved’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Short and Scandinavian-crisp.

Astrid

Origin: Old Norse / Scandinavian
Pronunciation: AS-trid · ˈæstrɪd
Meaning: divinely beautiful (popularly also glossed ‘divine strength’)
Popularity: #383 and rising (#399 → #383, 2024)

Norwegian royalty; sturdy and beloved.

Stelle

Origin: German (surname)
Pronunciation: SHTEL-uh · ˈʃtɛlə
Meaning: place, spot (via a German-derived surname); popularly linked to Italian ‘stelle’ (stars)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Unusual as a first name but lovely as a middle.

Stelvio

Origin: Italian (place name)
Pronunciation: STEL-vyoh · ˈstɛlvjoʊ
Meaning: Of the stars
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A rare masculine pick from the same root.

Astero

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: ahs-TEH-ro · ɑːˈstɛroʊ
Meaning: star-related, from the Greek root aster- (‘star’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Vintage Greek with a heroine-of-a-novel feel.

Astrella

Origin: Modern coinage (Latin/Greek-derived elements)
Pronunciation: uh-STREL-uh · əˈstrɛlə
Meaning: little star (from astr-, ‘star’, plus the diminutive suffix -ella)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Estellina

Origin: Italian/Yiddish (diminutive of Estella/Stella)
Pronunciation: es-teh-LEE-nah · esteˈlina
Meaning: little star, from Latin ‘stella’ (star) plus a diminutive ending
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tender and storybook.

Stellina

Origin: Italian
Pronunciation: steh-LEE-nuh · stɛlˈliːnə
Meaning: little star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Tuscan endearment that wears well as a given name.

Estee

Origin: diminutive of Esther (Persian/Hebrew)
Pronunciation: ESS-tee
Meaning: an affectionate short form of Esther; Esther itself is often linked to the Persian word for ‘star’ (cognate with Ishtar), though its exact root is debated
Popularity: #5,994 and rising (#6,027 → #5,994, 2024)

Famously Lauder; clean and brand-bright.

Esti

Origin: uncertain/multiple (Hebrew, Basque-Spanish, and other regional homographs)
Pronunciation: ES-tee · ˈɛsti
Meaning: Star
Popularity: #4,301 and rising (#4,488 → #4,301, 2024)

A short, friendly form of Esther.

Estefania

Origin: Spanish (from Greek Stephanos via Estefanía)
Pronunciation: es-teh-fah-NEE-uh · estefaˈni.a
Meaning: crown, wreath — from the Greek root ‘stephanos,’ the same source as Stephanie
Popularity: #2,114 and falling (#1,808 → #2,114, 2024)

A telenovela name, in the best way.

Astor

Origin: Occitan (surname)
Pronunciation: AS-ter · ˈæstər
Meaning: hawk
Popularity: #4,070 and rising (#6,254 → #4,070, 2024)

Surname-style; carries old-money New York energy.

Stellaluna

Origin: Latin/Italian (modern coinage)
Pronunciation: stel-uh-LOO-nuh · ˌstɛləˈluːnə
Meaning: star, moon
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Borrowed from the beloved children’s book; whimsical and double-celestial.

Asteria

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: uh-STEER-ee-uh · əˈstɪəriə
Meaning: starry, of the stars (Greek astēr, ‘star’); name of a Titan goddess of the night sky in Greek myth
Popularity: #4,115 and falling (#3,986 → #4,115, 2024)

Astrum

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: AS-trum · ˈæstrəm
Meaning: star or constellation, taken directly from the Latin word
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The raw noun; unisex and unexpected.

Sterling

Origin: English (surname)
Pronunciation: STUR-ling · ˈstɜːrlɪŋ
Meaning: originally a surname referring to the starling bird, or a variant of the Scottish surname/place name Stirling
Popularity: #372 and rising (#403 → #372, 2024)

Sterling doesn’t come from that sense of the word; the given name traces to an English surname referring to the starling bird or the Scottish place name Stirling — a separate, unrelated word history.

Star

Origin: English
Pronunciation: STAR · ˈstɑːr
Meaning: star (celestial body)
Popularity: #1,904 and rising (#2,074 → #1,904, 2024)

The plainest possible spelling; surprisingly underused.

Starr

Origin: English (surname)
Pronunciation: STAR · stɑːr
Meaning: star (via a surname meaning ‘star’)
Popularity: #2,546 and falling (#2,509 → #2,546, 2024)

Ringo’s surname; ’70s-coded but coming back.

Starla

Origin: Modern American English coinage
Pronunciation: STAR-luh · ˈstɑːrlə
Meaning: little star (elaboration of ‘star’)
Popularity: #3,801 and falling (#3,319 → #3,801, 2024)

A diner-waitress sweetheart of a name from the ’50s and ’60s.

Starlight

Origin: English
Pronunciation: STAR-lyte · ˈstɑːrlaɪt
Meaning: the light given off by a star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Hippie territory but undeniably pretty.

Arabic Star Names — Najma, Sitara, and the Night-Sky Tradition

Arabic has an unusually rich star vocabulary, partly because medieval Arab astronomers named most of the stars we still use today (Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, Vega — all Arabic). These names are widely used across the Arab world, South Asia, and Muslim communities globally.

Najma

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: NAHJ-mah · ˈnɑːdʒmə
Meaning: star
Popularity: #6,305 and falling (#4,955 → #6,305, 2024)

Najm

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: NAHJM · nɑːdʒm
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The masculine form; short and strong.

Najmah

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: NAHJ-mah · ˈnɑːdʒmɑː
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Same name, gentler ending.

Najmuddin

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: nahj-moo-DEEN · nɑːdʒmuːˈdiːn
Meaning: a compound of the words for ‘star’ and ‘faith’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Traditional compound with religious weight.

Sitara

Origin: Persian/Urdu
Pronunciation: sih-TAR-ah · sɪˈtɑːrə
Meaning: star
Popularity: #2,733 and falling (#2,410 → #2,733, 2024)

Soft, lilting, and gorgeous across South Asia.

Setareh

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: seh-tah-REH · sɛtɑːˈrɛ
Meaning: star
Popularity: #13,204 and falling (#10,189 → #13,204, 2024)

The Iranian form; lyrical and very current in Iran.

Sitarah

Origin: Persian/Urdu
Pronunciation: sih-TAH-rah · sɪˈtɑːrɑː
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Same root, different transliteration.

Zohra

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ZOH-ruh · ˈzoʊrə
Meaning: the planet Venus; from an Arabic root meaning ‘to shine, blossom’
Popularity: #5,939 and rising (#6,912 → #5,939, 2024)

Zuhra

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ZOO-hrah
Meaning: brightness, radiance; the Arabic name for the planet Venus
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Variant of Zohra; common across North Africa.

Suhaila

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: soo-HAY-luh · sʊˈheɪlə
Meaning: the star Canopus
Popularity: #7,526 and rising (#7,590 → #7,526, 2024)

Refers to Canopus, the second-brightest star in the sky.

Suha

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: SOO-hah · ˈsuːhɑː
Meaning: a faint star in Ursa Major (Alcor), used proverbially for something barely visible
Popularity: #14,956 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A test-of-eyesight star in classical Arabic astronomy.

Soraya

Origin: Persian (from Arabic)
Pronunciation: soh-RY-ah · soʊˈraɪə
Meaning: the Pleiades star cluster; also glossed as ‘brilliant gem’
Popularity: #913 and rising (#1,150 → #913, 2024)

The seven sisters star cluster; an empress of Iran wore this name.

Thurayya

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: thoo-RAY-yah
Meaning: the Pleiades star cluster
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Suraya

Origin: Arabic/Urdu
Pronunciation: soo-RYE-uh · sʊˈraɪə
Meaning: the Pleiades star cluster
Popularity: #4,861 and falling (#3,901 → #4,861, 2024)

Common transliteration in South Asia.

Anjum

Origin: Arabic/Urdu
Pronunciation: UN-jum · ˈʌn.dʒʌm
Meaning: Stars, plural
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Used for any gender; literary feel.

Nujum

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: noo-JOOM · nuːˈdʒuːm
Meaning: Stars
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The plural noun; rarer as a given name.

Kawkab

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: KOW-kahb · ˈkawkab
Meaning: star (also used for ‘planet’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Slightly more formal than Najma.

Kawakib

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: kah-WAH-kib · kæˈwæːkɪb
Meaning: stars, planets
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Plural form; striking.

Shihab

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: shee-HAHB · ʃiːˈhɑːb
Meaning: shooting star, meteor, or flame
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Vivid and masculine.

Shahab

Origin: Arabic, via Persian
Pronunciation: shah-HAHB · ʃæˈhɑːb
Meaning: shooting star, meteor, or flame
Popularity: #10,626 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Persian cousin of Shihab; sleek.

Najem

Origin: Arabic (Levantine)
Pronunciation: NAH-jem · ˈnɑːdʒɛm
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Familiar across Lebanon and Syria.

Nayyira

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: nah-YEER-ah · nɑːˈjiːrə
Meaning: luminous, radiant one (feminine form of an Arabic root meaning ‘to shine/give light’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Nayyir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: nah-YEER · nɑːˈjiːr
Meaning: luminous, radiant
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Masculine pair to Nayyira.

Aldebaran

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: al-DEB-uh-ran · ælˈdɛbərən
Meaning: the follower (referring to the star following the Pleiades across the sky)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The eye of Taurus; bold as a given name.

Altair

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: al-TAIR · ælˈtaɪər
Meaning: the flying eagle (referring to the star Alpha Aquilae)
Popularity: #4,063 and rising (#5,938 → #4,063, 2024)

Increasingly used in the US for boys.

Vega

Origin: Arabic (via the star name)
Pronunciation: VAY-gah · ˈveɪgə
Meaning: falling eagle (referring to the star Vega’s Arabic name)
Popularity: #3,944 and falling (#3,470 → #3,944, 2024)

Crisp, modern, unisex.

Suheil

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: soo-HAYL · suːˈheɪl
Meaning: the star Canopus
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Common across the Arab world.

Suhayl

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: soo-HAYL · sʊˈheɪl
Meaning: Canopus, second-brightest star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Traditional spelling.

Mintaka

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: min-TAH-kuh · mɪnˈtɑːkə
Meaning: belt (name of a star in Orion’s Belt)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rare and gorgeous.

Rigel

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: RYE-jəl · ˈraɪdʒəl
Meaning: the foot of the giant (referring to its position in the constellation Orion)
Popularity: #6,095 and falling (#4,710 → #6,095, 2024)

A space-opera kind of name.

Deneb

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: DEN-ebb · ˈdɛnɛb
Meaning: tail, specifically ‘the hen’s tail’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Compact and cosmic.

Aziz

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-ZEEZ · ɑːˈziːz
Meaning: mighty, dear/beloved
Popularity: #1,727 and rising (#1,912 → #1,727, 2024)

Common across the Muslim world.

Sanskrit & Hindi Star Names — Tara, Nakshatra, and the 27 Lunar Mansions

Sanskrit names for stars are deeply tied to Vedic astrology, where the moon’s path is divided into 27 nakshatras — lunar mansions, each one a star or constellation. Many Indian girls are named for the nakshatra they were born under.

Tara

Origin: Irish (place name); also Sanskrit (‘star’)
Pronunciation: TAIR-ah · ˈtɛrə
Meaning: named after the Hill of Tara, ancient seat of Irish kings (the place name’s own root meaning is disputed); a separate Sanskrit-origin sense means ‘star’
Popularity: #1,021 and rising (#1,163 → #1,021, 2024)

The literal meaning of the underlying Irish place name (Teamhair) isn’t confirmed to be ‘hill’ — sources only identify it as the name of the hill/ancient royal site, not the Irish word for ‘hill’ itself.

Taraka

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: TAH-ruh-kuh · ˈtɑːrəkə
Meaning: star or savior
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tarika

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: TAH-rih-kuh · ˈtɑːrɪkə
Meaning: little star
Popularity: #11,518 as of 2008 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Gentle diminutive.

Tarini

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: TAH-rih-nee · ˈtɑːrɪni
Meaning: she who delivers or saves — an epithet tied to the goddess Tara/Durga as protector
Popularity: #10,227 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Layered meaning; a form of the goddess Tara.

Nakshatra

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: nuk-SHUH-truh · nəkˈʃʌtrə
Meaning: star; a lunar mansion in Vedic astronomy
Popularity: #8,260 and rising (#9,416 → #8,260, 2024)

A bold, full-length choice.

Rohini

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: roh-HEE-nee · roʊˈhiːni
Meaning: the red one; growing, ascending
Popularity: #17,132 and rising (#17,270 → #17,132, 2024)

The fourth nakshatra; auspicious and warm.

Revati

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: RAY-vuh-tee · ˈreɪvʌti
Meaning: wealthy, prosperous
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The 27th and final lunar mansion.

Chitra

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: CHIT-rah · ˈtʃɪt̪rɑː
Meaning: the bright one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The 14th nakshatra; also means “picture.”

Citra

Origin: Sanskrit (variant of Chitra)
Pronunciation: CHIT-rah · ˈtʃɪtrə
Meaning: bright, distinctive, or variegated; also the name of the nakshatra (lunar mansion) linked to the star Spica
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Used in Indonesia and India.

Anuradha

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ah-noo-RAH-dhuh · ˌɑːnuːˈrɑːdə
Meaning: a Vedic nakshatra (lunar mansion) named as ‘following Radha’
Popularity: #13,738 as of 2006 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The 17th lunar mansion.

Jyoti

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: JYO-tee · ˈd͡ʒjoːti
Meaning: light or flame
Popularity: #14,616 as of 2019 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Unisex; warm and luminous.

Jyotsna

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: JYOT-snah · dʒjoːtsnɑː
Meaning: moonlight
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Romantic and literary.

Uttara

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: OOT-tuh-ruh · ˈʊtːərə
Meaning: northern (also ‘later’ or ‘superior’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Refers to Uttara Phalguni nakshatra.

Ashwini

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: uhsh-WEE-nee · ʌʃˈwiːni
Meaning: she who possesses horses
Popularity: #15,583 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Quick-moving and auspicious for new beginnings.

Mrigashira

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: mrih-guh-SHEE-ruh · mrɪɡəˈʃɪərə
Meaning: deer’s head
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A nakshatra; gentle and mythic.

Pushya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: POOSH-yah · ˈpʊʃjə
Meaning: nourisher
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

An auspicious nakshatra associated with prosperity.

Magha

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: MUH-gah · ˈmʌɡʱɑː
Meaning: the bountiful
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The royal nakshatra, associated with ancestors.

Swati

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SWAH-tee · ˈswɑːti
Meaning: very beneficent
Popularity: #10,738 as of 2007 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Bright and beloved across India.

Hasta

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: HAHS-tuh · ˈhʌstə
Meaning: hand
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Skilled, dexterous.

Vishakha

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: vi-SHAH-kuh · vɪˈʃɑːkə
Meaning: forked or branched; name of a lunar constellation/asterism
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A nakshatra of determination.

Bharani

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: buh-RAH-nee · bʱəˈrɑː.niː
Meaning: the bearer
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The second nakshatra.

Mula

Origin: Sanskrit (unrelated to a distinct Spanish/Catalan surname of the same spelling)
Pronunciation: MOO-lah · ˈmuːlɑː
Meaning: root
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Intense and grounding.

Shravana

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: SHRAH-vuh-nuh · ˈʃrʌvənə
Meaning: listening/hearing (a lunar mansion/nakshatra)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Associated with the three stars of Aquila.

Dhanishta

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: dhuh-NISH-tuh
Meaning: ‘wealthiest’ or ‘most renowned,’ a Sanskrit superlative; also the name of a nakshatra (lunar mansion) near the constellation Delphinus
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Confident and abundant.

Shatabhisha

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: shuh-tuh-BHEE-shuh · ˌʃʌtəˈbiːʃə
Meaning: hundred healers (a lunar mansion/nakshatra traditionally linked to healing)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Long and lyrical.

Punarvasu

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: poo-ner-VAH-soo · pʊnərˈvɑːsuː
Meaning: renewal of goodness (literally ‘good/wealth again’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The 7th nakshatra, twins.

Tarana

Origin: Persian/Urdu
Pronunciation: tuh-RAH-nuh · təˈrɑːnə
Meaning: song; melody; anthem
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Musical and warm.

Greek & Latin Constellations — Names Pulled Straight From the Night Sky

These are the proper names of stars and constellations themselves, plus the mythological figures behind them. Bigger swings — perfect for parents who want a name with cosmological resonance.

Cassiopeia

Origin: Greek (via Latin)
Pronunciation: kass-ee-oh-PEE-uh · ˌkæsioʊˈpiːə
Meaning: Queen turned constellation
Popularity: #8,523 and falling (#6,464 → #8,523, 2024)

A vain queen punished with a starry seat; lush and mythic.

Andromeda

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: an-DROM-uh-duh · ænˈdrɒmɪdə
Meaning: ruler of men (Greek mythological name)
Popularity: #2,300 and rising (#2,397 → #2,300, 2024)

The chained princess; bold, romantic, slightly tragic.

Lyra

Origin: Ancient Greek (via Latin)
Pronunciation: LY-rah · ˈlaɪrə
Meaning: a lyre, the stringed musical instrument
Popularity: #482, holding steady (2024)

Melodic and crisp; rising fast for girls.

Orion

Origin: Ancient Greek (etymology uncertain)
Pronunciation: oh-RY-un · oʊˈraɪən
Meaning: uncertain; possibly ‘heaven’s light’ (a speculative Akkadian derivation, not firmly established)
Popularity: #325 and rising (#373 → #325, 2024)

Strong, unmistakable, increasingly mainstream.

Cygnus

Origin: Latin (from Greek kyknos)
Pronunciation: SIG-nus · ˈsɪɡnəs
Meaning: swan
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Elegant and rarely heard.

Phoenix

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: FEE-niks · ˈfiːnɪks
Meaning: the mythical firebird symbolizing rebirth and renewal
Popularity: #275 and falling (#269 → #275, 2024)

Corvus

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: KOR-vus · ˈkɔːrvəs
Meaning: crow or raven (also the name of a southern-sky constellation)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Edgy and short.

Leo

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: LEE-oh · ˈliːoʊ
Meaning: lion
Popularity: #24 and falling (#18 → #24, 2024)

Zodiac classic; warm and friendly.

Aries

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: AIR-eez · ˈɛriːz
Meaning: ram, referring to the zodiac constellation/sign
Popularity: #700 and rising (#785 → #700, 2024)

Sharper and rarer than Leo.

Perseus

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: PUR-see-us · ˈpɜːrsiəs
Meaning: uncertain; popularly linked to a Greek root meaning ‘to destroy’ (disputed)
Popularity: #1,290 and rising (#1,469 → #1,290, 2024)

Slayer of Medusa; ancient and heroic.

Hercules

Origin: Greek (via Latin)
Pronunciation: HER-kyuh-leez · ˈhɜːrkjʊliːz
Meaning: traditionally read as Hera’s name plus the Greek word for ‘glory,’ though the Hera connection is linguistically disputed
Popularity: #6,582 and falling (#3,743 → #6,582, 2024)

Big name, big shoes.

Pegasus

Origin: Greek (possibly pre-Greek)
Pronunciation: PEG-uh-suhs · ˈpɛɡəsəs
Meaning: Winged horse constellation
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Best as a middle, but stunning.

Atlas

Origin: Greek (possibly pre-Greek substrate)
Pronunciation: AT-luss · ˈætləs
Meaning: possibly ‘the enduring one’ (disputed, may be pre-Greek with no recoverable meaning)
Popularity: #101 and rising (#111 → #101, 2024)

Currently rising for boys.

Maia

Origin: Greek/Roman (mythological); also Māori
Pronunciation: MY-ah · ˈmaɪə
Meaning: refers to the mythological Maia — mother of Hermes in Greek myth, and a Roman goddess of springtime growth (source of the month name ‘May’); also used independently as a Māori name meaning ‘brave, confident’
Popularity: #459, holding steady (2024)

The mother of Hermes.

Electra

Origin: Ancient Greek
Pronunciation: ih-LEK-trah · ɪˈlɛktrə
Meaning: amber, shining
Popularity: #9,068 and falling (#7,748 → #9,068, 2024)

Sharp, classical, a bit fierce.

Merope

Origin: Ancient Greek
Pronunciation: meh-ROH-pee · məˈroʊpi
Meaning: uncertain; possibly ‘bee-eater’ or a compound roughly meaning ‘eloquent/mortal-voiced’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rare and lovely.

Alcyone

Origin: Ancient Greek (the underlying word is itself of pre-Greek/uncertain origin)
Meaning: kingfisher; name of a Pleiad and of a mythological queen turned into a kingfisher
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pronounced al-SIGH-oh-nee; soft and dramatic.

Celaeno

Origin: Ancient Greek
Pronunciation: seh-LEE-noh · sɪˈliːnoʊ
Meaning: dark, black
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dark beauty.

Sterope

Origin: Ancient Greek
Pronunciation: STEHR-uh-pee · ˈstɛrəpi
Meaning: uncertain; possibly ‘lightning flash’ or ‘star-faced’ (variant of Asterope)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Means “lightning” but counted among the stars.

Taygete

Origin: Ancient Greek (possibly linked to Mount Taygetus)
Pronunciation: tay-IJ-ih-tee · teɪˈɪdʒɪti
Meaning: Pleiades star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Mountain nymph turned star.

Hesper

Origin: Greek (from Hesperus, the evening star)
Pronunciation: HESS-per · ˈhɛspər
Meaning: evening star
Popularity: #16,133 and falling (#6,524 → #16,133, 2024)

Compact and poetic.

Hesperus

Origin: Greek (via Latin)
Pronunciation: HES-per-us · ˈhɛspərəs
Meaning: the evening star (Venus at dusk), from Greek ‘hesperos,’ relating to evening/the west
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Classical form.

Phosphorus

Origin: Greek (Latinized)
Pronunciation: FOS-fər-əs · ˈfɒsfərəs
Meaning: bearer of light (an epithet for the morning star, Venus)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original “Lucifer” meaning.

Eosphorus

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: ee-OS-fer-uhs · iːˈɒsfərəs
Meaning: dawn-bringer, literally ‘bearer of the dawn’ (eos ‘dawn’ + pherein ‘to carry’); the personification of Venus as the morning star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Sister concept.

Sirius

Origin: Greek (via Latin)
Pronunciation: SEER-ee-uhs · ˈsɪriəs
Meaning: the scorching one
Popularity: #2,657 and falling (#2,530 → #2,657, 2024)

Yes, Harry Potter; still gorgeous.

Polaris

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: poh-LAIR-is · pəˈlɛərɪs
Meaning: of the pole star; the fixed northern star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The one that doesn’t move; perfect symbolism.

Arcturus

Origin: Ancient Greek (via Latin); star name
Pronunciation: ark-TOOR-uhs · ɑːrkˈtjʊərəs
Meaning: guardian of the bear
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Brightest in Boötes; statuesque.

Castor

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: KASS-ter · ˈkæstər
Meaning: beaver (mythological Gemini twin’s name)
Popularity: #6,887 and rising (#7,359 → #6,887, 2024)

Half of the Gemini pair.

Pollux

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: PAHL-uks · ˈpɒləks
Meaning: very sweet
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Brother to Castor.

Bellatrix

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: BEL-uh-triks · ˈbɛlətrɪks
Meaning: female warrior
Popularity: #3,961 and rising (#5,145 → #3,961, 2024)

Yes, Harry Potter again; still legitimate.

Capella

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: kuh-PEL-uh · kəˈpɛlə
Meaning: little she-goat
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Soft and feminine.

Mira

Origin: Multi-origin: Slavic / Latin / Sanskrit / Hindi
Pronunciation: MEER-ah · ˈmɪrə
Meaning: peace (Slavic); wonderful/admired (Latin); sea or boundary (Sanskrit); or from Meera/Mirabai, a 16th-century Hindi poet-saint
Popularity: #380 and rising (#412 → #380, 2024)

Means “wonderful” but named after the star Mira Ceti.

Nova

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: NOH-vah · ˈnoʊvə
Meaning: new
Popularity: #39 and falling (#35 → #39, 2024)

A stellar explosion; sharp and modern.

Supernova

Origin: New Latin (modern scientific coinage)
Pronunciation: soo-per-NOH-vuh · ˌsuːpərˈnoʊvə
Meaning: an exploding star far brighter than a nova, from Latin roots meaning ‘above/beyond’ plus ‘new’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Bold middle-name material.

Lucida

Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: LOO-sid-uh · ˈluːsɪdə
Meaning: bright, shining
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Technical term, beautiful name.

Hawaiian, Maori, and Pacific Island Star Names

Polynesian navigators sailed thousands of miles by stars, and their naming traditions reflect that intimacy with the night sky.

Hoku

Origin: Hawaiian
Pronunciation: HOH-koo · ˈhoʊkuː
Meaning: Star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Unisex; sweet and short.

Hokulani

Origin: Hawaiian
Pronunciation: hoh-koo-LAH-nee · ˌhoʊkuːˈlɑːni
Meaning: Heavenly star
Popularity: #10,545 and rising (#16,072 → #10,545, 2024)

Lyrical and clearly celestial.

Hokuao

Origin: Hawaiian
Pronunciation: hoh-koo-OW · hoːkuːˈʔao
Meaning: morning star (from hōkū ‘star’ + ao ‘dawn/light’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Daybreak’s brightest.

Hokulele

Origin: Hawaiian
Pronunciation: hoh-koo-LEH-leh · hoːkuːˈlɛlɛ
Meaning: shooting star / meteor, literally ‘flying star’ (hōkū ‘star’ + lele ‘to fly’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Vivid imagery.

Hokuokalani

Origin: Hawaiian
Pronunciation: hoh-koo-oh-kah-LAH-nee · hoːkuː.o.kəˈla.ni
Meaning: star of the heavens
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Long but musical.

Kaohu

Origin: Hawaiian
Pronunciation: kah-OH-hoo · kəˈoːhu
Meaning: the mist
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Soft.

Iwa

Origin: Hawaiian, Japanese, or Polish (unrelated names sharing a spelling)
Pronunciation: EE-wah · ˈiːwɑː
Meaning: A frigate bird, also tied to navigation by stars
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Compact and strong.

Makali’i

Origin: Hawaiian
Pronunciation: mah-kah-LEE-ee · ˌməkəˈliːʔi
Meaning: the Pleiades star cluster
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The “little eyes” of the sky.

Whetu

Origin: Maori
Pronunciation: FEH-too · ˈfɛtuː
Meaning: Star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Two syllables, big presence.

Whetumarama

Origin: Maori
Pronunciation: FEH-too-mah-RAH-mah · ˌfɛtuːmɑːˈrɑːmɑː
Meaning: star + bright/clear (compound usually rendered ‘bright star’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Beautiful longer form.

Matariki

Origin: Māori
Pronunciation: mah-tah-REE-kee · mɑːtɑːˈriːki
Meaning: the Pleiades star cluster, and by extension the Māori new-year season marked by its rising
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Marks the Maori New Year; growing in use.

Puanga

Origin: Māori
Pronunciation: POO-ah-ngah
Meaning: Rigel
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Sister concept to Matariki.

Tawera

Origin: Māori
Pronunciation: TAH-weh-rah · ˈtɑːwɛrɑː
Meaning: the morning star (the planet Venus)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Bright and crisp.

Kopu

Origin: Māori
Pronunciation: KAW-poo · ˈkɔːpuː
Meaning: Venus, seen as a bright star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rehua

Origin: Māori
Pronunciation: REH-hoo-ah · ˈrɛhuːɑː
Meaning: the star Antares; also a major Māori sky deity associated with it
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Antares in some traditions.

Atutahi

Origin: Māori
Pronunciation: ah-too-TAH-hee · ɑːtuːˈtɑːhi
Meaning: the traditional Māori name for the star Canopus, sometimes explained as ‘standing alone’ in the sky
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A sacred first star.

Fetu

Origin: Samoan
Pronunciation: FEH-too · ˈfɛtuː
Meaning: Star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Simple and warm.

Fetuilelagi

Origin: Samoan
Pronunciation: feh-too-ee-lay-LAH-ngee · feɪtuːiːleɪˈlɑːŋi
Meaning: star in the sky (from fetu ‘star’ + i le lagi ‘in the sky’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Full and ceremonial.

Hebrew, Yiddish, and Jewish Tradition

Beyond Esther, Hebrew offers several lesser-known stellar names with deep textual roots.

Kochava

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: koh-khah-VAH · koʊxəˈvɑː
Meaning: star (feminine form of kochav)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Direct word, used as a name in Israel.

Kochav

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: koh-KHAHV · koʊˈxɑːv
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The everyday Hebrew word.

Mazal

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: mah-ZAHL · mɑːˈzɑːl
Meaning: constellation, star sign
Popularity: #12,950 and falling (#10,076 → #12,950, 2024)

The root of “mazel tov”; lucky.

Mazalit

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: mah-zah-LEET · ˌmɑːzɑːˈliːt
Meaning: little fortunate one (diminutive of Mazal)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Gentle diminutive.

Aster

Origin: Greek (via Latin)
Pronunciation: AS-ter · ˈæstər
Meaning: star (namesake of the star-shaped flower)
Popularity: #2,745 and rising (#3,281 → #2,745, 2024)

A Yiddish grandmother’s name.

Sterna

Origin: Yiddish
Pronunciation: STER-nuh · ˈstɛrnə
Meaning: star (feminine form of Shtern)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Soft and old-world.

Shtern

Origin: Yiddish
Pronunciation: SHTAIRN · ʃtɛrn
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Direct word; vintage but lovely.

Tova

Origin: Hebrew (also a Scandinavian variant of Tove)
Pronunciation: TOH-vah · ˈtoʊvə
Meaning: good
Popularity: #2,684 and falling (#2,075 → #2,684, 2024)

Warm.

Hadassah

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: huh-DASS-ah · həˈdæsə
Meaning: myrtle (tree)
Popularity: #532 and rising (#612 → #532, 2024)

Old Testament classic.

Japanese, Korean, and East Asian Star Names

East Asian star names tend to be compounds where one character means “star” — hoshi in Japanese, byeol in Korean, xing in Mandarin.

Hoshi

Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: HOH-shee · hoʊʃi
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Single, sweet, unisex.

Hoshiko

Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: hoh-SHEE-koh · hoʊˈʃiːkoʊ
Meaning: star’s child
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tender and traditional.

Hoshie

Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: HOH-shee-eh · ho̞ɕie̞
Meaning: star (with a common feminine name suffix)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Vintage Japanese feel.

Hoshimi

Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: hoh-SHEE-mee · ho̞ɕimi
Meaning: star (with a common feminine name suffix)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Lyrical compound.

Akari

Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: ah-KAH-ree · ɑːˈkɑːri
Meaning: light, brightness (meaning varies with the kanji chosen)
Popularity: #1,625 and falling (#1,604 → #1,625, 2024)

Soft and popular in Japan.

Seiya

Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: SAY-yah · ˈseɪjɑː
Meaning: Starry night, blue star
Popularity: #8,822 and rising (#9,540 → #8,822, 2024)

Cool and current.

Sora

Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: SOH-rah · ˈsoʊrə
Meaning: sky
Popularity: #1,972 and falling (#1,863 → #1,972, 2024)

Unisex and trendy.

Hikari

Origin: Japanese
Pronunciation: hee-KAH-ree · hiˈkɑːri
Meaning: light
Popularity: #7,024 and rising (#8,649 → #7,024, 2024)

Bright and growing in international use.

Byeol

Origin: Native Korean
Pronunciation: BYUHL
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

One syllable, very direct.

Byeol-i

Origin: Korean
Pronunciation: BYAWL-ee · bjʌ.ɾi
Meaning: an affectionate form of ‘star’ (byeol) with a common Korean nickname suffix, roughly ‘star, dear’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Affectionate.

Saebyeol

Origin: Korean
Pronunciation: SAY-byuhl · sɛbjʌl
Meaning: new star; used to mean the morning star (Venus)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Beautiful and uncommon.

Xing

Origin: Mandarin Chinese
Pronunciation: SHING · ɕiŋ
Meaning: ambiguous without diacritics — commonly used for ‘star’ (星), but unaccented pinyin ‘Xing’ also covers a surname (邢) and ‘flourishing/prosperous’ (興/兴)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Short and elemental.

Xingxing

Origin: Mandarin Chinese
Pronunciation: SHING-shing · ˈʃɪŋʃɪŋ
Meaning: star(s); doubled syllable used affectionately, popularly rendered ‘little star’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Doubled for affection.

Mingxing

Origin: Mandarin
Pronunciation: MING-shing · miŋ̌.ɕiŋ̌
Meaning: bright star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Often used metaphorically for “celebrity,” but lovely literally.

Sao

Origin: Vietnamese; also an unrelated Ancient Greek mythological name
Pronunciation: SOW · saːw
Meaning: star (Vietnamese)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Crisp single syllable.

Bituin

Origin: Tagalog/Filipino
Pronunciation: bee-TOO-in
Meaning: Means ‘star’ — taken directly from the Tagalog word for star.
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Three syllables, rich-sounding.

Tala

Pronunciation: TAH-lah · ˈtɑːlə
Meaning: Star
Popularity: #1,336 and rising (#1,461 → #1,336, 2024)

Increasingly popular internationally; also a goddess of stars.

Celtic, Slavic, and Northern European Stars

Less obvious than the Latin tradition, but full of gems — particularly the Slavic zvezda/zorya names tied to dawn stars.

Réalta

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: RAYL-tah · ˈreːlˠt̪ˠə
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Direct word; rare and striking.

Réaltín

Origin: Irish
Meaning: little star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pronounced ray-al-TEEN.

Seren

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: SEH-ren · ˈsɛrɛn
Meaning: star
Popularity: #4,631 and rising (#4,638 → #4,631, 2024)

Currently top-50 in Wales; soft and bright.

Sereno

Origin: Italian/Spanish (from Latin serenus)
Pronunciation: seh-RAY-noh · seˈreɪnoʊ
Meaning: calm, clear
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Masculine variant.

Stjarna

Origin: Old Norse/Icelandic
Pronunciation: STYAR-nah · ˈstjɑːrnə
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Crisp and Nordic.

Stjerne

Origin: Norwegian/Danish
Pronunciation: STYAIR-nuh · ˈstjæːrnə
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Slightly softer.

Zvezda

Origin: Slavic (Russian/Bulgarian/Serbian)
Pronunciation: zvyez-DAH
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Bold, used in Bulgaria as a name.

Zorya

Origin: Slavic (mythological)
Pronunciation: ZOR-yuh · ˈzɔːrjə
Meaning: dawn
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Two goddesses of dawn; lyrical.

Gwiazda

Origin: Polish
Pronunciation: GVYAHZ-dah · ˈɡvʲazda
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Direct word; uncommon but lovely.

Csilla

Origin: Hungarian
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pronounced CHEE-lah; popular Hungarian name.

Csillag

Origin: Hungarian
Pronunciation: CHIL-lawg
Meaning: star, the ordinary Hungarian word used directly as a name
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rarer.

Ester

Origin: European variant of Esther (Hebrew/Persian)
Pronunciation: ESS-ter · ˈɛstər
Meaning: a variant spelling of Esther; often linked to a disputed Persian root for ‘star’ (paralleling the goddess Ishtar), though the exact origin is debated
Popularity: #1,508 and falling (#1,413 → #1,508, 2024)

Crisp version of Esther.

Gwiazdka

Origin: Polish
Pronunciation: GVYAHST-kah · ˈɡvʲastka
Meaning: literally ‘little star’ (diminutive of gwiazda), but colloquially used in Polish to mean ‘Christmas’ or ‘Christmas Eve,’ referencing the tradition of watching for the first star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Affectionate diminutive.

Morning-Star and Dawn Names

A subgroup worth pulling out: names that specifically refer to the morning star — Venus at dawn, or the first star at twilight. These names tend to carry hope, beginnings, and quiet brightness.

– **Aurora** — Dawn (Latin); goddess of dawn associated with the morning star. Top-20 in the US.

Sahar

Origin: Arabic/Persian
Pronunciation: sah-HAR · sɑːˈhɑːr
Meaning: dawn, daybreak
Popularity: #3,363 and rising (#3,463 → #3,363, 2024)

Soft and current.

Shachar

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: shah-KHAR · ʃɑːˈxɑːr
Meaning: dawn
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Unisex in Israel.

Helel

Origin: Hebrew (Biblical)
Pronunciation: hay-LEL · heɪˈlɛl
Meaning: shining one; the Hebrew term (Isaiah 14:12) for the morning star, rendered ‘Lucifer’ in Latin translations
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Lucifer-meaning, pre-Christian.

Eos

Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: EE-os · ˈiːɒs
Meaning: dawn
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Two letters, huge presence.

Usha

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: OO-shah · ˈuːʃɑː
Meaning: dawn
Popularity: #17,788 as of 2019 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Ushas

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: OO-shahs · ˈuːʃɑːs
Meaning: the Vedic/Hindu goddess who personifies the dawn
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Same root, slightly fuller.

Danica

Origin: Slavic
Pronunciation: DAN-ih-kuh · ˈdænɪkə
Meaning: morning star (personification of the planet Venus in Slavic tradition)
Popularity: #1,555 and falling (#1,534 → #1,555, 2024)

Beautiful and underused in the US.

Danika

Origin: Slavic (variant of Danica)
Pronunciation: DAN-ih-kuh · ˈdænɪkə
Meaning: morning star (the planet Venus), from a Slavic root related to ‘day’
Popularity: #2,347 and falling (#2,180 → #2,347, 2024)

American-friendly spelling.

Dennitsa

Origin: Bulgarian
Pronunciation: deh-NEET-suh · dɛˈnitsə
Meaning: morning star (Venus), related to the Slavic root for ‘day’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rare and lyrical.

Jutrzenka

Origin: Polish
Pronunciation: yoo-CHEN-kah
Meaning: Venus seen at dawn; the morning star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dramatic, almost operatic.

Sabah

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: sah-BAH · səˈbɑː
Meaning: morning, dawn
Popularity: #14,902 and falling (#11,988 → #14,902, 2024)

Warm and current across the Arab world.

Tan

Origin: ambiguous homograph: Vietnamese (tân, ‘new’) or a Chinese-surname romanization
Pronunciation: TAHN · ˈtɑːn
Meaning: new
Popularity: #9,637 as of 2019 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Single syllable.

Zaria

Origin: uncertain (Arabic, Slavic, or Hausa candidates)
Pronunciation: ZAR-ee-ah · ˈzɑːriə
Meaning: Dawn, sunrise
Popularity: #825 and falling (#757 → #825, 2024)

Rising in the US.

Zorica

Origin: Slavic (South Slavic)
Pronunciation: ZOR-eet-sah · ˈzɔːrɪtsə
Meaning: little dawn; diminutive of Zora (‘dawn’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Affectionate.

Zora

Origin: Slavic
Pronunciation: ZOR-ah · ˈzɔːrə
Meaning: dawn
Popularity: #918 and falling (#860 → #918, 2024)

Zora Neale Hurston gives it literary weight.

Roxana

Origin: Persian (Old Persian, via Greek Rhōxanē)
Pronunciation: rahk-SAN-ah · rɑːkˈsænə
Meaning: bright, radiant
Popularity: #2,091 and rising (#2,173 → #2,091, 2024)

Alexander the Great’s wife; ancient and lovely.

Roshan

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: roh-SHAHN · roʊˈʃɑːn
Meaning: light, bright
Popularity: #3,754 and falling (#3,541 → #3,754, 2024)

Unisex; warm.

Indigenous American & African Star Names

Closing with names from traditions less often included in baby-name books, but deeply meaningful in their own cultures.

Anpaytoo

Origin: Sioux/Lakota (Native American)
Pronunciation: ahn-PAY-too · ɑːnˈpeɪtuː
Meaning: Radiant, daybreak star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Lyrical.

Hutoyi

Origin: Ojibwe
Meaning: Morning star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Crisp.

Wicahpi

Origin: Lakota
Pronunciation: wee-CHAH-pee · wiˈtʃɑːxpi
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Direct word.

Itzel

Origin: Mayan (linked to the goddess Ixchel)
Pronunciation: eet-SEL · iːˈtsɛl
Meaning: Rainbow star, or star
Popularity: #376 and falling (#366 → #376, 2024)

Currently popular across Mexico.

Citlali

Origin: Nahuatl
Pronunciation: seet-LAH-lee · siːtlɑːli
Meaning: star
Popularity: #1,586 and rising (#1,637 → #1,586, 2024)

Increasingly used in the US Latino community.

Citlalli

Origin: Nahuatl
Pronunciation: seet-LAH-lee · siːtlɑːli
Meaning: star
Popularity: #5,036 and falling (#4,289 → #5,036, 2024)

Same name, longer form.

Sitlali

Origin: Nahuatl
Pronunciation: seet-LAH-lee · siːtˈlɑːli
Meaning: star
Popularity: #19,192 as of 2011 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Softer.

Xochi-Citlalli

Origin: Nahuatl compound
Pronunciation: SOH-chee-seet-LAH-lee · ˌsoʊtʃisiːtˈlɑːli
Meaning: flower + star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Beautiful and ceremonial.

Nashira

Origin: Arabic (astronomical)
Pronunciation: nah-SHEER-ah · nəˈʃɪərə
Meaning: traditionally glossed as ‘bringer of good news’ in Arabic star lore; exact derivation is debated
Popularity: #8,817 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Modern and crisp.

Nyota

Origin: Swahili
Pronunciation: nee-OH-tah · niˈoʊtɑː
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Anaya

Origin: uncertain (claimed as Sanskrit or Zuni, though disputed)
Pronunciation: ah-NAH-yah · əˈnɑːjə
Meaning: Look up at the stars
Popularity: #405 and falling (#388 → #405, 2024)

Current in the US.

Zuri

Origin: Swahili
Pronunciation: ZUR-ee · ˈzʊri
Meaning: from the Swahili word ‘zuri’ (good), commonly rendered ‘beautiful’ in English
Popularity: #277 and falling (#203 → #277, 2024)

Bright and warm.

Ekhaya

Origin: Zulu
Pronunciation: eh-KAH-yah · ɛˈkʰaːja
Meaning: home, at home (the locative form of ‘ikhaya, ‘ home)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Grounded.

Thuso

Origin: Sotho (Sesotho)
Pronunciation: TOO-soh · ˈtʰuː.sɔ
Meaning: help, assistance
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Strong.

Sadiya

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: sah-DEE-yuh · səˈdiːjə
Meaning: fortunate, happy (from an Arabic root relating to good luck/happiness)
Popularity: #4,172 and rising (#4,717 → #4,172, 2024)

Common across West Africa.

Esin

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: eh-SEEN · eˈsin
Meaning: inspiration (as in creative muse)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings