Alternatives To Stella

Stella and Luna are stylish night sky name for girls, from the Latin words for star and moon.

Stella Maris ("star of the sea") is an historic title for the Virgin Mary, in use since at least the early medieval period. Although it actually arose from a scribal error in the etymology of the name Mary, it came to be seen as symbolic of Mary's role as "guiding star" on the way to Christ. Under this name, the Virgin Mary is believed to intercede as a guide and protector of seafarers in particular, and many coastal churches are named Stella Maris or Star of the Sea.

This cosmological name is given to a handful of boys and girls each year in the USA. Likely to get confused with Stella, but definitely edgier and likely to start a conversation.

Stelle is a delicate feminine name with celestial origins, derived from the Latin 'stella' meaning 'star.' This elegant variation maintains the poetic imagery of its root while offering a more distinctive spelling and pronunciation (typically STELL). Less common than Stella, which has enjoyed popularity revivals, Stelle remains a rare celestial choice that carries associations with light, guidance, and cosmic beauty. The name has appeared across various European cultures, particularly with Italian connections. Stelle offers versatility—sophisticated enough for a professional adult while remaining sweet for a child. Its brevity eliminates the need for nicknames, though Star might serve as an endearing English equivalent. For parents seeking a name that balances familiarity with uniqueness, Stelle provides celestial symbolism in a refined package.

A sweet elongation of Stella, with its reference to stars.

A sweet Cornish word name with a celestial meaning.

The name of a character in the TV series The Last Kingdom, whose name is based on the Norse word for "star".

Upbeat nickname-name that can't help but make you smile. You might want to use it as a short form for a more "serious" name such as Sunniva, but Sunny is undeniably, well, sunny.

This pretty multicultural name makes a pleasant update to Sarah.

The musical, sylvan Sylvia seems poised to join former friends Frances and Beatrice and Dorothy back in the nursery.

Although Sylvia seems to be having somewhat of a revival among trendsetting baby namers, we'd still opt for the even gentler and more unusual Sylvie. Despite being dated in its native France (where it was popular during the 1950s and 60s), in English-speaking regions it still feels fresh and international without being unfamiliar and has a cosmopolitan, international air. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2016.

Taina is a feminine Tupi name meaning "star." A nice choice for those looking for something celestial but less common than Stella or Astrid. Taina also means "secret" in Russian and is a Finnish form of Tatiana.

Tala is a super multicultural name with roots in many diverse languages and cultures. In Northern Europe, especially in Scandinavia, it is a diminutive derived from Adelheid "noble", long used as a standalone name.

Talia is derived from the Hebrew elements tal, meaning "dew," and yah, in reference to God. In the mythology of one ancient sect, Talia was one of ten angels who attended the sun on its daily course. The occasionally homophonous name Thalia has unrelated Greek origins.

Tella is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Finnish, it relates to the verb "tellata" meaning "to order" or "to command," suggesting leadership qualities. In some Indian contexts, particularly Telugu, it can be derived from words meaning "white" or "bright." The name has a melodic, two-syllable structure that makes it accessible across language barriers. Tella remains relatively uncommon in global naming statistics, offering distinctiveness without complexity. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce and spell in various languages. The name has seen modest usage in different cultural contexts but hasn't experienced widespread popularity. Tella appeals to parents seeking a concise, feminine name that sounds contemporary yet has authentic cultural roots.

Thalia was one of the Three Graces in Greek mythology, and also the Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry, making this a Hellenic choice worthy of consideration.

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".

Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 girls' names. Although still very rare in the US, we think it has serious potential to follow the likes of Luna and Lyra up the charts.

This Latin word used for evening spiritual services was introduced to baby namers by the Eva Greene character Vesper Lynd in the modern James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006, based on the Ian Fleming novel, and is just now beginning to provoke interest among namers, with its spiritual reference and soft, whispery sound.