Celeste: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

By Tara Gunn

Updated August 7, 2024

Table of contents

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Celeste mean and stand for as a girl's name?

Meaning:

Latin: Heavenly, of the sky
Spanish: Sky blue
Greek: Most beautiful

Gender: Female

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Celeste is pronounced seh-lest

The name Celeste originates from the Latin word "caelestis," meaning heavenly or of the sky. Associated with celestial bodies and the heavens, it conveys a sense of ethereal beauty and timelessness.

Girl name variations

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Celeste mean and stand for as a boy's name?

Meaning:

Latin: Heavenly, of the sky
Spanish: Sky blue
Greek: Most beautiful

Gender: Male

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Celeste is pronounced seh-lest

While Celeste is predominantly used as a girl's name, it also holds significance as a boy's name in various cultures. As with the feminine form, Celeste originates from the Latin word "caelestis," which means heavenly or of the sky.

Boy name variations

How Popular Is The Name Celeste

Family name origins & meanings

French (Céleste), Portuguese, and Spanish: from the female personal name Céleste, Celeste, meaning "celestial", "heavenly" (Latin caelestis).

Celeste in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Celeste Wright from Big Little Lies - A former lawyer and mother navigating a turbulent marriage.
Celeste from Celeste - The protagonist of the video game, a young woman climbing a mountain while battling internal struggles.
Celeste Talbert from Soapdish - A dramatic soap opera actress dealing with chaos both onscreen and off.
Celeste Cooper from Weeds - A stripper with a complex personal life in the dark comedy series.
Celeste from The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea - A mermaid friend of Melody who helps her on her journey.

Popularity of the Name Celeste

According to Social Security Administration data, the name Celeste has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States over the years, but it remains a classic choice for parents. Historically, Celeste has often been associated with elegance and celestial beauty. It reached its peak in the early 2000s but continues to be a favored name with a timeless appeal.

Celeste has been chosen for various notable figures and fictional characters. One prominent historical figure is Celeste Holm, an American actress known for her work in Gentleman's Agreement and All About Eve. In literature, the name appears in the novel The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, with the character Renée Michel using "Madame Celeste" as an alias. Additionally, Celeste is a character in the popular video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where she is a knowledgeable owl who provides players with star-themed DIY recipes.