Esther
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.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the bookDoes Esther sound...
Sibling Names for Esther...
Do you know any real life Esthers?
What are their siblings named?
Reader Contributions
Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Esther!
- Comments and insights on the name Esther: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Personal experiences with the name Esther: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Nicknames for Esther: | Edit
Estee, Hettie, Etta, Essie
- Meanings and history of the name Esther: | Edit
"a star"
- 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 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.
NameVoyager US Popularity of Esther Over Time
NameMapper Current Popularity of Esther by State
Global Popularity of the Name Esther
- #85 in Spain
- #255 in Canada (British Columbia)
- #261 in Canada (Quebec)
- #274 in United States
- #304 in Scotland
- #347 in Norway
- #396 in Canada (Alberta)
Baby Name Wizard Store
Celebrate with personalized baby name products! Custom birth announcements, invitations, bibs, onesies & more.
Start Shopping