"hawk, bird of prey"
Astor
Pronunciation: [ AST-er ]
Old-world elegance with raptor-sharp style
Meaning & Origin
"star (folk etymology from Latin aster)"
The Story of Astor
Astor derives from the Old French and Occitan word for hawk, originally used as a surname for those who trained birds of prey. The name gained prestige through the Astor family dynasty, descendants of John Jacob Astor, who became one of America's wealthiest families in the 19th century. The name combines the fierceness of a raptor with aristocratic elegance.
Astor is experiencing a quiet revival as parents seek sophisticated surname-names with historical weight. The name benefits from associations with old-money elegance while feeling fresh as a first name for girls.
The Astor name is synonymous with Gilded Age American aristocracy. The Waldorf Astoria hotel stands as a monument to the family's influence on New York City. In British culture, Viscountess Astor was the first woman to take a seat in the British Parliament.
Fun Facts
- Nancy Astor became the first woman to take her seat in the British House of Commons in 1919
- The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, one of New York's most iconic landmarks, bears this name
- John Jacob Astor IV was the wealthiest person to die on the Titanic
Astor in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Famous People Named Astor
Astor Piazzolla
Musician
1921
Argentine composer and bandoneón player who revolutionized tango music
Nancy Astor
Politician
1879
First woman to take a seat in the British House of Commons, known for her sharp wit
John Jacob Astor
Business
1763
German-American fur trader who became America's first multi-millionaire
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #41,521
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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
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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 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Astor is also used as a boy name, ranked #4077.
View Astor as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Astor
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What is the origin of the name Astor?
Is Astor a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Astor
Astor is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "hawk, bird of prey" in Old French .
Is Astor a boy or girl name? Astor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #41,521 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,077. Astor is more commonly used as a boy name.
Astor is currently ranked #41,521 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Astor has 2 syllables and is pronounced AST-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Astor include Ast and Tori. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Astor include Astoria . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.