Esther

Pronunciation: [ EHST-er ]

Girl Name #131 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A star-bright Biblical queen of courage and cunning

Hebrew English Dutch Scandinavian

Vintage Classic Literary Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"star"

Origin: Persian

Language: Hebrew

"hidden, concealed"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"myrtle leaf"

Origin: Akkadian

Language: English

"star"

Origin: Persian

Language: Hebrew/English

"myrtle"

Origin: Hebrew via Persian

Language: English

The Story of Esther

Esther is an ancient name with competing origin theories: the Hebrew 'ester' meaning hidden or concealed, the Persian 'stara' meaning star, or possibly the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. The Biblical Esther was a Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people from genocide — one of only two books in the Bible named for a woman. Her story of courage and cunning has made the name beloved for millennia.

Esther peaked in the early 20th century but declined mid-century. It's experiencing a notable revival in the 2010s-2020s as part of the broader trend of reclaiming Victorian and Biblical names. It's particularly popular in the Netherlands and among Jewish families globally.

In Jewish tradition, Esther is a heroic queen celebrated during the festival of Purim. In Christian tradition, the Book of Esther represents divine providence. In the Netherlands, Esther has long been one of the most common women's names.

Fun Facts

The Book of Esther is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman
The Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates Queen Esther's bravery in saving her people from genocide

Esther in Other Languages

Dutch Esther

French Esther

German Esther

Hebrew אֶסְתֵּר

Persian ستاره

Spanish Ester

Famous People Named Esther

Esther Perel

Other

1958

Belgian-American psychotherapist and author known for her work on relationships and intimacy

Esther Williams

Actor

1921

American competitive swimmer and actress famous for her aquatic musical films in the 1940s-50s

Queen Esther

Royalty

Jewish queen of Persia and heroine of the biblical Book of Esther, who saved her people from extermination

Esther Greenwood Fictional

Other

The protagonist of Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar (1963)

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #131
Total SSA Count: 2,206
Cultural Origins: Hebrew English Dutch Scandinavian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Essie Ettie

Pairs Well With

Esther Rose Esther Jane Esther Mae Esther Grace Esther Violet Esther Pearl Esther Faye

Sibling Names

Ruth Agnes Sylvia Clement Jasper Theodore

Also a Boy Name

Esther is also used as a boy name, ranked #31327.

View Esther as a boy name →

Similar Names

Elizabeth Estella Elisabeth Celeste Ester Esme Lizbeth

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Frequently Asked Questions About Esther

What does the name Esther mean?

"star" (from Persian). "hidden, concealed" (from Hebrew). "myrtle leaf" (from Akkadian). "star" (from Persian). "myrtle" (from Hebrew via Persian). Esther is an ancient name with competing origin theories: the Hebrew 'ester' meaning hidden or concealed, the Persian 'stara' meaning star, or possibly the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. The Biblical Esther was a Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people from genocide — one of only two books in the Bible named for a woman. Her story of courage and cunning has made the name beloved for millennia.

What is the origin of the name Esther?

Esther has Persian, Hebrew, Akkadian, Hebrew via Persian, English, Dutch, and Scandinavian origins. In Persian, it means "star". In Hebrew, it means "hidden, concealed". In Akkadian, it means "myrtle leaf". In Persian, it means "star". In Hebrew via Persian, it means "myrtle".

Is Esther a boy or girl name?

Esther is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #131. As a boy name, it is ranked #31327. Esther is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Esther?

Esther is pronounced EHST-er.

How popular is the name Esther?

Esther is currently ranked #131 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Esther?

Common nicknames for Esther include Essie and Ettie.

What are good middle names for Esther?

Popular middle name pairings include Esther Rose, Esther Jane, Esther Mae, Esther Grace, Esther Violet, Esther Pearl, and Esther Faye.

What are good sibling names for Esther?

Names that pair well with Esther as siblings include Ruth, Agnes, Sylvia, Clement, Jasper, and Theodore.

How many syllables does Esther have?

Esther has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Esther a common or rare name?

Esther is a popular name, ranked #131 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Esther

Esther is a girl name with Hebrew, English, Dutch, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "star" in Persian .

Is Esther a boy or girl name? Esther is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #131 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,327. Esther is more commonly used as a girl name.

Esther is currently ranked #131 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Esther has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHST-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Esther include Essie and Ettie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.