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Esther

Pronunciation: EHS-ter (key)

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Origin of the name Esther:

Popular name of debated origin and meaning. Some believe it to be the Persian translation of the Hebrew name Hadassah (myrtle); others think it is derived from the Persian stara (star). It has also been suggested that it derived from the Babylonian Ishtar, the name of a goddess of love and fertility. The name is borne in the Bible by the Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus.

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Sibling Names for Esther...

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Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Esther!

Comments and insights on the name Esther: | Edit

Some people think that the name esther is a old lady's name but it hink that the name esther sounds sophisticated and intelligent, my friend is called esther she is 14 and she hates it,i always tell her that she should like it but she won't.

To the person above - My cousin's called Esther and she's 14 too and hates her name. Wonder if it's the same person??? :S

Personal experiences with the name Esther: | Edit

My Great Aunt Esther was very wise.

Nicknames for Esther: | Edit

Estee
Hettie
Etta
Essie
Es
Est/Esth
Ettie
Etsy
Tess

Meanings and history of the name Esther: | Edit

"a star" (Persian)
"Myrtle Leaf" (Hebrew)

Famous real-life people named Esther: | Edit

Queen Esther, Jewish second wife of Ahasuerus, who saved her people from annihilation as told in the biblical Book of Esther.
Esther Williams, American competitive swimmer and film actress
Esther Cañadas, Spanish actress and model
Esther Dyson, digital technology expert
Esther "Eppie" Pauline Lederer, advice columnist, better known as Ann Landers
Esther Rantzen, English journalist and television host

Esther in song, story & screen: | Edit

Esther Greenwood, the semi-authobiographical heroine of Sylvia Plath's novel The Bell Jar.
Esther Smith, heroine of the 1944 movie "Meet Me in St. Louis", played by Judy Garland.
Esther Summerson, herione of Charles Dickens's novel Bleak House.
Esther, main antagonist of 2009 horror film Orphan, 9-year-old murderous girl, portraied by Isabelle Furhman

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