Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Estelle
GirlFrench, Latin· “star”
- Meaning
- star
- Origin
- French, Latin
- Pronunciation
- eh-STEHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #573
- US babies 2025
- 523
- Best rank
- #106 (1911)
- Peak year
- 1915
Meaning and origin of Estelle
Estelle is a French and Latin name that means “star”.
Estelle is an old French name from the Latin stella, star, and is related to Estella and Stella. It has a long history in France, especially in the south. English speakers adopted Estelle in the nineteenth century. After a period of sounding old-fashioned, it has returned to favor alongside other vintage French names like Colette and Josephine. Estelle is graceful and luminous, and Elle, Stella and Essie make pleasant nicknames.
Popularity over time
Estelle has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 97 different years. Its best national rank was #106 in 1911, and the most babies received it in 1915, when 1,784 were named Estelle. In 2025, 523 babies were named Estelle, and it ranked #573 nationally. That is 52% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #158 in 1920, #537 in 1950, #2,022 in 1980, #2,438 in 2000, #1,438 in 2010, and #573 in 2025. Of the 56,410 US girls named Estelle since records began, 24% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 12,279 babies. Since 2010, 5,401 more have been named Estelle.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lottie, Beulah, Goldie, Sallie, and Celia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Estelle ranked highest in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | #248 | 5 |
| Wisconsin | #328 | 16 |
| Minnesota | #350 | 16 |
| Pennsylvania | #364 | 30 |
| Michigan | #366 | 24 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Estelle is usually pronounced eh-STEHL, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with E and ends in “-le”.
Middle names for Estelle
A few middle names that flow with Estelle: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Estelle
Similar names
Camille Girl
kuh-MEEL
“ceremonial attendant” · French
#240
Noelle Girl
noh-EHL
“Christmas” · French
#202
Lucille Girl
loo-SEEL
“light” · French
#239
Adele Girl
uh-DEHL
“noble” · French
#751
Giselle Girl
jih-ZEL
“pledge” · French
#382
Celeste Girl
suh-LEHST
“heavenly” · Latin
#188
Sylvie Girl
SIHL-vee
“forest” · French
#282
Joelle Girl
joh-EHL
“Yahweh is God” · French
#1,010
Mirabelle Girl
MIH-ruh-behl
“wonderful, lovely” · French
#2,249
Isabelle Girl
IH-zuh-behl
“form of Elizabeth; my God is an oath” · French
#166
Brielle Girl
bree-EHL
“short form of Gabrielle” · American (modern coinage)
#143
Nicole Girl
nih-KOHL
“victory of the people” · French
#383
Lists that include Estelle
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Estelle mean?
Estelle is a French and Latin name that means “star”.
What is the origin of the name Estelle?
Estelle has French and Latin roots. Estelle is an old French name from the Latin stella, star, and is related to Estella and Stella.
Is Estelle a popular name?
Yes. Estelle ranked #573 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Estelle a boy or girl name?
Estelle is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Estelle?
Estelle is usually pronounced eh-STEHL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings