Girl · 39th of 9,107
Esther
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
269,879
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
6,588
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Esther stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Esther originates from Persian, meaning 'star', and is also connected to the Hebrew name Hadasah, meaning 'myrtle'. The name has evolved through various languages and retains a strong biblical significance as the name of a queen who saved her people. Esther is often viewed as a symbol of strength, and its popularity surged during the Protestant Reformation. Variants include Hadasah and Estelle, and it is currently regarded as a classic name with positive associations.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛstər/
Origin
Persian
Etymology
The name Esther is derived from the Persian word 'stara', meaning 'star'. It is also associated with the Hebrew name 'Hadassah', which means 'myrtle'.
Meaning
star
Language Evolution
Esther (English), Esther (Old Persian: 𐎠𐎼𐎣𐎴), Hadasah (Hebrew)
Biblical Background
Esther is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Esther, where she becomes the queen of Persia and saves her people from genocide.
Historical Usage
The name Esther gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Protestant Reformation, largely due to its biblical association.
Variants & Derivatives
Hadasah, Estelle, Estrella
Modern Popularity & Image
Esther is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with strength and bravery due to its biblical connotations.
Famous People
Esther Williams (American actress and swimmer), Esther Rantzen (British journalist and television presenter), Esther Perel (Belgian psychotherapist)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,588 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1563rd of 7545 | 361 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1734th of 6773 | 313 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3824th of 7552 | 80 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6561st of 10718 | 33 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6273rd of 16616 | 97 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 18910th of 23106 | 12 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 39th of 9107 | 108,769 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 108th of 9204 | 43,852 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 208th of 12526 | 29,106 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 326th of 19264 | 12,168 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 289th of 27321 | 14,521 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 280th of 35406 | 18,302 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 159th of 30306 | 21,964 |