Esther
Esther is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Star; likely derived from the Old Persian word 'stāra' or associated with the goddess Ishtar.
Origin and history
Esther is a classic biblical name of Hebrew and Persian origin meaning 'star'. While overwhelmingly used as a female name, U.S. records show occasional historic usage for males. Its modern usage for boys remains exceptionally rare.
Popularity in the United States
972 babies in the United States have been named Esther since 1880. It ranks #3710 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1917.
States where it is most popular
- TX (66.7 %)
- CA (33.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 59 |
| 1900-1910 | 71 |
| 1910-1920 | 155 |
| 1920-1930 | 190 |
| 1930-1940 | 196 |
| 1940-1950 | 92 |
| 1950-1960 | 42 |
| 1960-1970 | 28 |
| 1970-1980 | 19 |
| 1980-1990 | 65 |
| 1990-2000 | 32 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 13 |
| 2020-2029 | 10 |
Fun facts
- Etymologists trace the name Esther to the Old Persian word for star, closely linked to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar.
- Although predominantly a female name, under 1,000 male births named Esther have been recorded in the U.S. since 1880.