Stellan

Stellan for boys#1140 US

While it sounds like it should be connected to stellar, it is more likely derived from the Old Norse stilling meaning "calm". Another possibility is from the Romanian Stelian and the Greek Stelios, meaning "pillar", or from the German stelle and stellen meaning "place, site" or "arrange".

Nevertheless, it has a touch of celestial charm that is appealing to more and more American parents. In 2023, it was given to 121 boys (and 6 girls) — nearly double the number of Stellans born in the US a decade early.

Stellan for girls#14719 US

Stellan is a traditionally masculine name, used nearly exclusively as such in its native Sweden. However, in Finland — and more recently in the US too — it has been given to a small number of girls, likely owing to its similarity to Stella.

While it sounds like the meaning could be celestial, it is more likely derived from the Old Norse stilling meaning "calm", though other sources suggest that it's a variant of the Romanian Stelian and the Greek Stelios, meaning "pillar", or from the German stelle and stellen meaning "place, site" or "arrange".

Alternatively, some parents may just be using it as an alternative to Stella, meaning "star".