🔥Esther

Persian

"star"

Updated Thu Sep 19 2024

Esther Origin and Meaning

The name Esther is a girl's name of Persian origin meaning "star".

Esther was derived from the Old Persian word stāra, meaning "star." In the Old Testament, Esther, originally named Hadassah, was the captured Jewish wife of the King of Persia who risked her life to save her exiled people from annihilation. This story is celebrated by Jews on the holiday of Purim, so that it has traditionally been given to girls around that time.

One of the major female figures in the Bible, quiet, studious Esther was in the Top 50 a hundred years ago and stayed in the Top 100 until 1935. It is now on the ascent again, appealing to parents—Ewan McGregor is one—seeking an underused biblical name with a strong history and serious image.

Judy Garland played two memorable Esthers--in Meet Me in St. Louis and A Star is Born; Esther Summerson is a main character in Dickens' Bleak House and Esther Greenwood is the autobiographical character's name in Sylvia Plath's A Bell Jar. Someone who glamorized the name is champion swimmer-turned-movie-star Esther Williams.

Madonna adopted Esther as her Kaballah name.

# 138 in the US

Esther Rank in US Top 1000

# 142 on Nameberry

Esther Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Esther Popularity

138US2023
142Nameberry2024
183Canada2022
143Future2028
166England2021
79New Zealand2023
340Germany2016
191Netherlands2015
208Mexico2021
17Denmark2023
8Israel2023

20 Names Similar to Esther

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Famous People Named Esther

EstherJewish Queen of Persia who saved her people; subject of the Biblical Book of Esther
Esther Jane WilliamsAmerican swimmer and actress
Esther Elizabeth RolleAmerican actress
Esther Pauline "Eppie" Lederer aka Ann LandersAmerican advice columnist
Esther ArmahBritish playwright, radio host, and political commentator
Esther FreudEnglish novelist
Esther HicksAmerican self,help author
Esther Marjorie HillCanadian architect
Esther Jones aka Baby EstherAmerican jazz singer; inspiration for Betty Boop
Esther 'Essie' DavisAustralian actress
Esther Grace EarlAmerican cancer activist; dedicatee of "The Fault in Our Stars"

Esther Edwards Burrdiarist and mother of U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr
Esther LofgrenAmerican rower
Esther de LangeDutch MEP
Esther CardosoCuban actress
Esther OuwehandDutch MP
Esther Eggertsen PetersonAmerican consumer advocate
Esther RalstonAmerican silent,film actress
Esther Louise RantzenEnglish TV journalist
Esther OfarimIsraeli pop singer
Esther Ople RueherAmerican author

Esther SittlerFrench senator
Esther PovitskyAmerican comedian of duo Esther & Benji
Esther Schmuckerdaughter of TV personalities Chester and Mary Schmucker of "Breaking Amish"
Esther Rose McGregor (b. 2001)daughter of Ewan McGregor
Esther Malone (b. 2010)daughter of choirmaster and TV personality Gareth Malone
Esther Testud (b. 2011)daughter of actress Sylvie Testud
Esther Ballantine Hawkins (b. 2015)daughter of singer Sophie B. Hawkins

Esther in Pop Culture

Esthertwelfth book in the Bible
Esther Drummondcharacter on TV's "Torchwood"
Esther Summersoncharacter in Charles Dickens' "Bleak "House"
Esther Smithcharacter in movie "Meet Me in St. Louis
EstherAKA Leena Klammer, character in movie "Orphan"
Esther Mikaelsonwitch on TV's "Vampire Diaries" & "The Originals"
Esther Blodgettcharacter in "A Star is Born" who becomes Vicki Lester
Esther Greenwoodmain character in "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
Esther ClavinCliff's mother on TV's "Cheers"
Esther Bloomcharacter British soap "Hollyoaks"
Esthercharacter in "Star of Babylon" by Barbara Wood

Esther Litt Edelsteincharacter on "Suits"
Esther Walker; Addy's sister in the "American Girl" books
Esthercharacter in the "Lights Out" movies
Porpentina Esther "Tina" Goldsteincharacter in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling
Esther WaltonGrandma on TV show "The Waltons"