"star"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Estella
Pronunciation: [ ehst-EHL-uh ]
Does Estella flow with your last name?
A starlit literary name, rare for boys
English
Spanish
Italian
Vintage
Literary
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Estella
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"guiding light"
Origin: Latin poetic
Language: Spanish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Estella Havisham, the cold-hearted character in Great Expectations
The Story of Estella
Estella is a feminized form of the Latin word stella, meaning star. Though given here to a boy, it is a rare and literary choice with roots in 19th century England. The name gained literary prominence through Charles Dickens Great Expectations (1861), where Estella Havisham is the central love interest.
Estella has historically been a feminine name, so its use for a boy is genuinely rare and distinctive. It reflects a growing trend of gender-fluid naming where poetic or celestial names are given across genders.
In Latin cultures, forms like Estrella carry strong meaning around guidance and aspiration. Using Estella for a boy gives it a striking, unconventional quality.
Historical Record
Estella first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 10 babies have been named Estella in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Estella is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #31,433 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Estella appears in Dickens Great Expectations as a pivotal character raised without emotion
- The name shares its root with astronomical terms like stellar
Estella in Other Languages
French
Estelle
Italian
Stella
Spanish
Estrella
Portuguese
Estrela
Popularity Over Time
#31,433
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Estella with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #31,433
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- English Spanish Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Estie
Stella
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Estella
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Estella is also used as a girl name, ranked #501.
View Estella as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Estella
What does the name Estella mean?
"star" (from Latin). "guiding light" (from Latin poetic). Estella is a feminized form of the Latin word stella, meaning star. Though given here to a boy, it is a rare and literary choice with roots in 19th century England. The name gained literary prominence through Charles Dickens Great Expectations (1861), where Estella Havisham is the central love interest.
What is the origin of the name Estella?
Estella has Latin, Latin poetic, English, Spanish, and Italian origins. In Latin, it means "star". In Latin poetic, it means "guiding light".
Is Estella a boy or girl name?
Estella is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #31433. As a girl name, it is ranked #501. Estella is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Estella?
Estella is pronounced ehst-EHL-uh.
How popular is the name Estella?
Estella is currently ranked #31433 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Estella?
Common nicknames for Estella include Estie and Stella.
What are good middle names for Estella?
Popular middle name pairings include Estella James, Estella John, Estella Thomas, Estella Michael, and Estella Ray.
What are good sibling names for Estella?
Names that pair well with Estella as siblings include Stella, Oliver, Violet, Felix, and Clara.
How many syllables does Estella have?
Estella has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Estella a common or rare name?
Estella is an uncommon name, ranked #31433 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Estella?
About the Name Estella
Estella is a boy name with English, Spanish, and Italian origins . The name means "star" in Latin .
Is Estella a boy or girl name? Estella is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #31,433 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #501. Estella is more commonly used as a girl name.
Estella is currently ranked #31,433 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Estella has 3 syllables and is pronounced ehst-EHL-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Estella include Estie and Stella. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Estella include Esteban, Estevan . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis