"star"
Origin: Persian
Language: Hebrew
Esther
Pronunciation: [ EHST-er ]
Does Esther flow with your last name?
A star-bright Biblical queen of courage and cunning
Hebrew
English
Dutch
Scandinavian
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Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames for Esther
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Meaning & Origin
"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
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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.
Historical Record
Esther first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 88,801 babies have been named Esther in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Esther is a steady classic , currently ranked #131 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#131
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Esther
E
Esther Perel
Other
1958
Belgian-American psychotherapist and author known for her work on relationships and intimacy
E
Esther Williams
Actor
1921
American competitive swimmer and actress famous for her aquatic musical films in the 1940s-50s
Q
Queen Esther
Royalty
Jewish queen of Persia and heroine of the biblical Book of Esther, who saved her people from extermination
E
Esther Greenwood Fictional
Other
The protagonist of Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar (1963)
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See all →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
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Essie
Ettie
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, 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 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Esther
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Esther is also used as a boy name, ranked #31327.
View Esther as a boy name →Similar Names
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Compare Esther with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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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.
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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