Stella: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Stella mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Latin: Star
Greek: Star-shaped
French: Variation of Estella

Gender: Female

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Stella is pronounced stel-uh

The name Stella has its origins in the Latin word "stella," which means "star." It carries celestial connotations and symbolizes brightness and inspiration. The Greek origin also attributes the name to something star-shaped or celestial. After being coined in 1590 by Sir Philip Sidney, Stella quickly became popular as a standalone name after previously being used as a variation of Estella and Estelle.

Girl name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Italian: from stella "star." In most cases it probably derives from a medieval female personal name or nickname, but it may also have been a habitational name for someone who lived at a house distinguished by the sign of a star or from any of the places so named (for example in Savona and Salerno), or a topographic name for someone who lived at a place from which roads radiated out in various different directions.

Dutch: from a Latin translation of Dutch Ster, meaning "star", a habitational name derived from a house sign.

Famous people with this first name

Stella McCartney

Stella Tennant

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Stella in Pop Culture

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

Stella Kowalski from A Streetcar Named Desire - Stella is the sensitive and compassionate sister of Blanche DuBois and the wife of Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams' famous play.
Stella Bonasera from CSI: NY - Stella is a forensic investigator known for her dedication and tenacity in solving crimes.
Stella Gibson from The Fall - Stella is a senior investigating officer who is meticulous and methodical in her pursuit of a serial killer.
Stella Payne from How Stella Got Her Groove Back - Stella is a successful, forty-something stockbroker who finds love and rejuvenation during a vacation in Jamaica.
Stella Zhau from Angelo Rules - Stella is one of Angelo’s friends, known for being smart, confident, and a bit of a tomboy.

Popularity of the Name Stella

According to Social Security Administration data, Stella has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few decades. It ranked as the 46th most popular female name in the U.S. in 2023. Stella was coined by Sir Philip Sidney in 1590 after he named his poetry collection Astrophel and Stella.

Historically, Stella has been a cherished name, with notable bearers such as Stella McCartney, a renowned fashion designer, and Stella Adler, an influential actress and acting teacher. In literature and media, Stella is perhaps best known from Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire, where the character Stella Kowalski is a central figure and is the name that Marlon Brando famously bellows in the 1951 film adaptation. The name also appears in contemporary series like How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family, further cementing its presence in pop culture.