The nameStella
Stella is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "star". Poetic and bright, it has been rising in the United States and Europe.
- Girl's name
- Latin
Meaning
Stella is the Latin word for "star".
Origin
Latin. The Virgin Mary is called Stella Maris, "Star of the Sea". The poet Philip Sidney made Stella a name in English with his sonnets Astrophel and Stella in the 1580s.
History
Stella Kowalski, of Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), is a famous bearer. The name came back in the 2000s and reached the American top 40.
Did you know?
- The fashion designer Stella McCartney is the daughter of Paul McCartney.
Famous people named Stella
- Stella McCartney, fashion designer
- Stella Adler, acting teacher
- Stella Kowalski, A Streetcar Named Desire character
Popularity of the name Stella
Stella in the United States
Stella was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 44,252 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Stella. Its rise began around 1883, and it peaked in 2018. Half of all babies named Stella in the United States were born before 1947, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 4,593 births a year.
Stella in the United Kingdom
Stella was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,584 births over the decade, 39% of all recorded babies named Stella. Half of all babies named Stella in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 164 births a year.
Stella in Ireland
Stella in France
Stella in Belgium
Stella in Switzerland
Stella in Austria
Stella in Norway
Sibling names for Stella
Names from the same generation as Stella, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Stella? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Stella with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Stella side by side with the name of your choice.
Stella in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stella mean?
Stella is the Latin word for "star".
What is the origin of the name Stella?
Latin. The Virgin Mary is called Stella Maris, "Star of the Sea". The poet Philip Sidney made Stella a name in English with his sonnets Astrophel and Stella in the 1580s.
Is Stella a girl's or a boy's name?
Stella is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Stella?
In 2024, Stella was the 49th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 4,264 births.
What are good sibling names for Stella?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Lucy, Valentina, Camila and Clara for a sister, Silas, Roman, Sawyer and Elliot for a brother.
Who are famous people named Stella?
Stella McCartney, fashion designer; Stella Adler, acting teacher; Stella Kowalski, A Streetcar Named Desire character.