Esther
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Esther
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.
Esther is also given to boys.
Pronounced ES-ter.
As of October 2026, Esther ranked #119 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #27 in 1896, Nameberry popularity #170.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #200 | 1,668 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #203 | 1,624 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #182 | 1,814 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #165 | 1,836 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #151 | 1,857 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #165 | 1,731 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #148 | 1,831 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #153 | 1,845 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #138 | 2,086 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #138 | 2,026 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #131 | 2,206 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #119 | 2,277 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Esther.
Esther on lists
Famous Esthers
- EstherGirl
Jewish Queen of Persia who saved her people; subject of the Biblical Book of Esther
- Esther Jane WilliamsGirl
American swimmer and actress
- Esther Elizabeth RolleGirl
American actress
- Esther Pauline "Eppie" Lederer aka Ann LandersGirl
American advice columnist
- Esther ArmahGirl
British playwright, radio host, and political commentator
- Esther FreudGirl
English novelist
- Esther HicksGirl
American self,help author
- Esther Marjorie HillGirl
Canadian architect
- Esther Jones aka Baby EstherGirl
American jazz singer; inspiration for Betty Boop
- Esther 'Essie' DavisGirl
Australian actress
- Esther Grace EarlGirl
American cancer activist; dedicatee of "The Fault in Our Stars"
- Esther Edwards BurrGirl
diarist and mother of U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr
- Esther LofgrenGirl
American rower
- Esther de LangeGirl
Dutch MEP
- Esther CardosoGirl
Cuban actress
- Esther OuwehandGirl
Dutch MP
- Esther Eggertsen PetersonGirl
American consumer advocate
- Esther RalstonGirl
American silent,film actress
- Esther Louise RantzenGirl
English TV journalist
- Esther OfarimGirl
Israeli pop singer
- Esther Ople RueherGirl
American author
- Esther SittlerGirl
French senator
- Esther PovitskyGirl
American comedian of duo Esther & Benji
- Esther SchmuckerGirl
daughter of TV personalities Chester and Mary Schmucker of "Breaking Amish"
- Esther Rose McGregor (b. 2001)Girl
daughter of Ewan McGregor
- Esther Malone (b. 2010)Girl
daughter of choirmaster and TV personality Gareth Malone
- Esther Testud (b. 2011)Girl
daughter of actress Sylvie Testud
- Esther Ballantine Hawkins (b. 2015)Girl
daughter of singer Sophie B. Hawkins
Esther in pop culture
- EstherGirl
twelfth book in the Bible
- Esther DrummondGirl
character on TV's "Torchwood"
- Esther SummersonGirl
character in Charles Dickens' "Bleak "House"
- Esther SmithGirl
character in movie "Meet Me in St. Louis
- EstherGirl
AKA Leena Klammer, character in movie "Orphan"
- Esther MikaelsonGirl
witch on TV's "Vampire Diaries" & "The Originals"
- Esther BlodgettGirl
character in "A Star is Born" who becomes Vicki Lester
- Esther GreenwoodGirl
main character in "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
- Esther ClavinGirl
Cliff's mother on TV's "Cheers"
- Esther BloomGirl
character British soap "Hollyoaks"
- EstherGirl
character in "Star of Babylon" by Barbara Wood
- Esther Litt EdelsteinGirl
character on "Suits"
- EstherGirl
character in the "Lights Out" movies
- Porpentina Esther "Tina" GoldsteinGirl
character in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling
- Esther WaltonGirl
Grandma on TV show "The Waltons"