Girls · #52 in 2025
Stella: Meaning, Origin & Popularity
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- Star
- Pronunciation
- STEL-uh
- Nickname options
- Stell, Stelly
Origin and meaning
Stella is the Latin word for star. It also has a literary connection through Philip Sidney's sequence Astrophel and Stella. Its celestial meaning is direct, even though the name has the familiar shape of a traditional given name.
U.S. popularity
Stella ranked #52 for girls in the United States in 2025, with 4,136 girls given this spelling. Its highest recorded U.S. rank was #38, reached in 2018. Historical coverage: 1880–2025. Peak refers to rank, not the largest number of births.
Source: Social Security Administration; historical peaks calculated from its national name files. Rankings count each spelling separately within the listed sex.
The Hello Baby Names take
Stella combines brightness with a firm, clear sound. The opening gives it more structure than Ella, while the ending stays soft. It is especially appealing for parents who want a celestial name with a grounded, vintage personality.
Things to consider
Stella stands comfortably without a nickname. With a surname beginning in S or ST, listen for whether the repetition feels appealing or cumbersome.
If you love Stella, consider…
- Luna: Offers a softer celestial alternative.
- Nova: Brings a more contemporary star-related mood.
- Ella: Keeps the ending in a simpler shape.
- Clara: Shares the crisp, classic feeling.
- Ruby: Adds vivid color and vintage warmth.
- Violet: Expands the romantic imagery.
- Lucy: Offers a lighter, more cheerful sound.
- Estelle: Keeps the starry style with a different emphasis.