Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Stella
GirlLatin· “star”
- Meaning
- star
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- STEL-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #52
- US babies 2025
- 4,136
- Best rank
- #38 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2018
Meaning and origin of Stella
Stella is a Latin name that means “star”.
Stella is the Latin word for star. The Elizabethan poet Philip Sidney used it in his sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella, and it has been an English given name ever since. It also recalls the Virgin Mary's title Stella Maris, star of the sea, used in Catholic devotion. The name was quite common around the turn of the twentieth century and has returned as a vintage revival. Tennessee Williams gave it lasting fame through the line shouted in A Streetcar Named Desire. Stella is bright, crisp and easy to spell.
Popularity over time
Stella 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 135 different years. Its best national rank was #38 in 2018, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,164 babies. In 2025, 4,136 babies were named Stella, and it ranked #52 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #82 in 1920, #226 in 1950, #732 in 1980, #656 in 2000, #85 in 2010, and #52 in 2025. Of the 206,906 US girls named Stella since records began, 21% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 28,526 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Everly, Kinsley, Layla, Cora, and Penelope.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Stella ranked highest in Kansas, Kentucky, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | #32 | 58 |
| Kentucky | #34 | 80 |
| Connecticut | #35 | 64 |
| Massachusetts | #36 | 118 |
| Minnesota | #41 | 86 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Stella is usually pronounced STEL-uh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Stella
A few middle names that flow with Stella: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Stella
Similar names
Layla Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#36
Estella Girl
eh-STEL-uh
“star” · Latin
#509
Lily Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#18
Nora Girl
NOR-uh
“honor; short form of Eleanor or Honora” · Irish
#20
Luna Girl
LOO-nuh
“moon” · Latin
#27
Bella Girl
BEL-uh
“beautiful” · Italian
#136
Nova Girl
NOH-vuh
“new” · Latin
#46
Laila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#413
Leila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#259
Camilla Girl
kuh-MIH-luh
“from a Roman family name, perhaps 'young attendant'” · Latin
#361
Estrella Girl
ehs-TREH-yuh
“star” · Spanish
#612
Paola Girl
pah-OH-luh
“small” · Italian
#1,260
Lists that include Stella
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stella mean?
Stella is a Latin name that means “star”.
What is the origin of the name Stella?
Stella has Latin roots. Stella is the Latin word for star.
Is Stella a popular name?
Yes. Stella ranked #52 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Stella a boy or girl name?
Stella is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Stella?
Stella is usually pronounced STEL-uh. 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