ESTHER  

Gender: F
Origin: Persian
Meaning: "star"

Popularity in 2008: #274

One of the major female figures in the Old Testament, quiet, studious Esther was in the Top 50 a hundred years ago, but is rarely used today; could appeal to parents -- Ewan McGregor is one -- seeking an underused biblical name with a strong history and serious image.

Variations:
Hesther, Essa, Hettie, Essy, Etti, Esti, Etty, Essey, Esta, Hittie, Ettie, Estee, Ettey, Essie, Esthur, Hetty

International Variations:
Estée (French) Eistir (Irish) Estzer, Ester, Eszter, Eszti (Slavic)

People who like Esther also like:

Adelaide, Margaret

Esther is being discussed in our message boards:

• What are your first thoughts?
• Unexpected, soft, and pretty girl names?
• First daughter: Lots of ideas-- what do you think?
• French CAF with namebanks...
• Question for nephele

Read Nameberry blog posts about Esther:

• OLD LADY NAMES: Ready for the Next Wave?
• VINTAGE NAMES: 100-Year-Old Names That Sound New Again
• KISSING COUSIN NAMES: Names that don't look related--but are
• NAMEBERRY MAKEOVER: Renovating the Top Ten Girls' Names
• TAKING BABY NAMES SERIOUSLY