Esther

At a Glance: Name: Esther – Meaning: star – Origin: Hebrew (Biblical), root disputed – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: ES-ter

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Esther is a Hebrew name from the Bible, and though its exact root is still debated by scholars, the name has long carried the meaning star. It's said ES-ter (/ˈɛstər/), and it has an old-fashioned, earthy warmth to it — the kind of name that feels grounded in nature and gently touched by the past. It's a solid choice if you want something with real biblical roots.

Meaning & Origin of Esther

Meaning: Star.

Origin: Hebrew (Biblical), root disputed.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Esther

Phonetic: ES-ter   IPA: /ˈɛstər/

Popularity of Esther

Esther reached its highest popularity back in 1896, ranking #27 with 1,964 girls given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled at #131 — but with 2,206 girls named Esther, more babies actually received the name than at its 1896 peak.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Esther Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Esther, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Deborah
• Nova
• Zerra
• Abner
• Anna
• Carmel

FAQ

What does the name Esther mean?

Star. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Esther)

How do you pronounce Esther?

Esther is pronounced ES-ter (IPA: /ˈɛstər/).

Is Esther a popular name right now?

Esther peaked at #27 in 1896 and is ranked #131 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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