"Star"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Stella
Pronunciation: [ st-EHL-uh ]
Does Stella flow with your last name?
A star name with theatrical flair and stellar history
Italian
English
German
Dutch
American
Classic
Elegant
Literary
Vintage
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"From the Latin 'stella' meaning star; popularized in the 16th century by Philip Sidney's sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella"
Origin: Italian/Latin
Language: Latin
"star"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Stella
Stella comes directly from the Latin word for 'star'. As a given name, it was popularized by the Renaissance poet Philip Sidney, who used it in his 1591 sonnet sequence Astrophil and Stella ('star-lover and star'). The name was relatively uncommon until the late 19th century, when it gained fashion through literary and artistic circles.
Stella experienced a major revival starting in the 2000s after decades of decline, appearing in the US top 100 by 2010 and climbing to the top 40 by the 2020s. The Stella Artois beer brand gave the name mainstream visibility, while celebrities choosing it for their daughters — including Tina Fey and Dave Matthews — boosted its prestige.
In Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, Stanley Kowalski's desperate cry of 'STELLAAA!' became one of theatre's most iconic moments. The constellation of Stella was used in Philip Sidney's Astrophil and Stella, one of the first major English sonnet sequences.
Historical Record
Stella first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 98,798 babies have been named Stella in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Stella is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #49 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Stanley Kowalski's famous cry of 'STELLA!' in A Streetcar Named Desire is one of theatre's most iconic moments
- Philip Sidney invented the sonnet sequence Astrophil and Stella in 1591, making Stella one of poetry's great muses
- Stella Artois, one of the world's most popular beers, was created in Leuven, Belgium in 1926
Stella in Other Languages
Dutch
Stella
Latin
Stella
French
Étoile
German
Stella
Italian
Stella
Spanish
Estrella
Portuguese
Estela
Popularity Over Time
#49
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Stella
S
Stella McCartney
Business
1971
British fashion designer known for sustainable luxury fashion and daughter of Beatles legend Paul McCartney
S
Stella Tennant
Other
1970
British supermodel and aristocrat who became one of Karl Lagerfeld's favorite muses for Chanel in the 1990s
S
Stella (A Streetcar Named Desire) Fictional
Other
The gentle, conflicted protagonist of Tennessee Williams' 1947 masterpiece, torn between her cultured sister Blanche and...
The gentle, conflicted protagonist of Tennessee Williams' 1947 masterpiece, torn between her cultured sister Blanche and brutish husband Stanley
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #49
- Total SSA Count
- 4,264
- Cultural Origins
- Italian English German Dutch American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Stell
Stelle
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Stella
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Stella is also used as a boy name, ranked #32554.
View Stella as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Italian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Stella
What does the name Stella mean?
"Star" (from Latin). "From the Latin 'stella' meaning star; popularized in the 16th century by Philip Sidney's sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella" (from Italian/Latin). "star" (from Latin). Stella comes directly from the Latin word for 'star'. As a given name, it was popularized by the Renaissance poet Philip Sidney, who used it in his 1591 sonnet sequence Astrophil and Stella ('star-lover and star'). The name was relatively uncommon until the late 19th century, when it gained fashion through literary and artistic circles.
What is the origin of the name Stella?
Stella has Latin, Italian/Latin, Italian, English, German, Dutch, and American origins. In Latin, it means "Star". In Italian/Latin, it means "From the Latin 'stella' meaning star; popularized in the 16th century by Philip Sidney's sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella". In Latin, it means "star".
Is Stella a boy or girl name?
Stella is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #49. As a boy name, it is ranked #32554. Stella is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Stella?
Stella is pronounced st-EHL-uh.
How popular is the name Stella?
Stella is currently ranked #49 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Stella?
Common nicknames for Stella include Stell and Stelle.
What are good middle names for Stella?
Popular middle name pairings include Stella Rose, Stella Grace, Stella Mae, Stella Jane, Stella Luna, Stella Claire, and Stella Violet.
What are good sibling names for Stella?
Names that pair well with Stella as siblings include Luna, Nova, Aurora, Leo, Felix, Orion, and Celeste.
How many syllables does Stella have?
Stella has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Stella a common or rare name?
Stella is a very popular name, ranked #49 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Stella
Stella is a girl name with Italian, English, German, Dutch, and American origins . The name means "Star" in Latin .
Is Stella a boy or girl name? Stella is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #49 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,554. Stella is more commonly used as a girl name.
Stella is currently ranked #49 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Stella has 2 syllables and is pronounced st-EHL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Stella include Stell and Stelle. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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