Names That Mean Star

Starr today is more fashionably the plain-spoken Star or the more obscured Stella, Esther, or Estella.

One of the many names for the Virgin Mary, this name is popular in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities.

A starry sounding name from Greek mythology, Pleione was an Oceanid nymph, whose seven daughters were turned into the group of stars known as the Pleiades. Associated with the Taurus constellation, Pleione is also the name of a star and the name of a type of orchid, making it celestial and botanical.

The name of a lake in Yosemite National Park, California, Tenaya has its roots in Miwok, a language spoken by the Ahwahnechee (or Awani) people, who lived in the Yosemite Valley. The lake was named after the chief of the Ahwahnechee (despite his protests that it already had a name, Pie-we-ack, Lake of the Shining Rocks).

This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite.

Translating to "star", but used to refer to the leading female artist in a cabaret show, for French speakers, this would be like naming your child "Showgirl".

An African option for people looking for alternatives for Stella and Estelle, with a starry meaning.

A modern Hebrew name with a stellar meaning, Kochav is taken from the Hebrew word for star. In Jewish tradition, stars are symbolic of light that guides people through their lives and of the might of God. A familiar name in Israel but rare elsewhere, Kochav is a unisex name but more commonly given to boys.

Asterius is the Latin form of the Greek Asterios and an alternate form of Asterion. The name belonged to various figures in Greek mythology, including a king of Crete and the infamous Minotaur. Outside of myth, the name was given to Christian saints like Saint Asterius of Amasea and Saint Asterius of Ostia. With a stellar meaning and intriguing celestial sound, Asterius may also appeal to modern parents.

Fanciful image distinguishes this Native-American name.

This name, which may also be Bintang in Indonesia, would have a difficult time transitioning to the Western World.

In Greek mythology, Hesperus was the personification of the planet Venus, also known as the Evening Star, while Hesperia is one of his daughters. This masculine name combines elements of both and has a grand yet gentle feel to it.

The dramatic-sounding name of a star in the constellation Leo that can be adapted as a unique Arabic name for boys. The similar-sounding Rasselas is the name of an allegorical fable by Samuel Johnson and its lead character.

Sagitta is not a part of the Sagittarius constellation, but rather its own collection of stars. However, its meaning, "arrow," would make it ideal for a Sagittarius daughter.

A celestial choice, Storai is quietly used in Afghanistan as a feminine given name and as a surname. Meaning "star" in Pashto, it is also used as a surname, again in Afghanistan but also in Italy where it may be a variation of Storia ("history").

Tarabai is an Indian name with a lot of feminist clout. Tarabai Bhosale was a 17th century Maratha queen who was a skilled military leader in her own right and successfully resisted the Mughal empire on behalf of her people. More recently Tarabai Shinde is often regarded as the author of India’s first feminist text - in which she rails against both the patriarchy and the caste system. Meaning feminine star, Tarabai is a perfect name for your budding feminist.

A Lakota word name meaning "star", Wicahpi has appeared in the US data a handful of times, primarily as a girl name.

A modern Irish word name that has been appearing (albeit very quietly) in the Irish charts since the 2010s, Realta has the celestial meaning of "star". Pronounced as RAYL-tuh in some parts of Ireland and as REHL-tuh in others, it may also be spelled as Réalta.

One of many international variations of Esther, Estere is currently popular in Latvia.

A title given to the elf Arwen in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, meaning "evening star" and usually rendered poetically as Evenstar. Like her revered ancestor Lúthien, Arwen chooses to become mortal in order to marry her human love, Aragorn.