Esther
Esther is a girls' name of Hebrew origin meaning “star; hidden.” It ranked #119 in the United States in 2025. From the Hebrew Esther, possibly meaning hidden or star, or from the Persian Stara meaning star.
Torn between Esther and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Esther?
ES-ter
where does the name Esther come from?
From the Hebrew Ester, by way of the Greek Esther. It may come from an Indo-European word for star, distantly related to the Persian setâre, or from Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess.
The biblical Esther was a Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people from persecution.
how popular is this name?
Esther has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #27 in 1896, and ranked #119 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #119 |
| 2024 | #130 |
| 2023 | #138 |
| 2022 | #138 |
| 2021 | #153 |
| 2020 | #148 |
| 2019 | #165 |
| 2018 | #151 |
| 2017 | #165 |
| 2016 | #182 |
| 2010 | #260 |
| 2000 | #323 |
| 1990 | #283 |
| 1980 | #295 |
| 1970 | #348 |
| 1960 | #234 |
| 1950 | #162 |
| 1940 | #131 |
| 1930 | #77 |
| 1920 | #39 |
| 1910 | #38 |
| 1900 | #39 |
| 1896 | #27 |
| 1890 | #75 |
| 1880 | #104 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Esther fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Esther
Esther is the queen of the Book of Esther, whose intervention with the Persian king averts the destruction of the Jews — the events the festival of Purim commemorates. The book is notable for never mentioning God directly, and the name's own possible link to a foreign goddess sits oddly alongside that.
who are famous people named Esther?
- Esther Williams
- Esther Dyson
- Queen Esther (biblical)
what are the nicknames and variants of Esther?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Esther?
what names go well with Esther?
Sibling names that share Esther's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Esther
What does the name Esther mean?
Esther means “star; hidden”.
What is the origin of the name Esther?
Esther comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Ester, Estera and Hadassah.
How popular is the name Esther?
Esther ranked #119 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1896, at #27, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Esther a boy or girl name?
Esther is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Esther?
Esther is pronounced ES-ter, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Esther? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session