Estela Girl

Popularity: #820 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: es-TAY-lah /ɛsˈteɪ.lə/

Origin: Spanish; Latin

Meaning: Spanish: star; Latin: stellar

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Estela has its roots in the Latin word "stella," meaning "star." This Latin term was derived from the earlier Proto-Indo-European root *h₂stḗr, which also signifies "star." The transition from Latin to various Romance languages, including Spanish and Portuguese, led to the evolution of the name Estela, which is commonly used in these cultures. The name entered the English language through the influence of Spanish and Portuguese explorers and settlers, particularly during the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Historically, the name Estela has been associated with various cultural and religious contexts. In Christian tradition, stars often symbolize guidance and divinity, reflecting the biblical Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus.

The name has been borne by several notable figures throughout history, including saints and literary characters, which has contributed to its enduring presence in various cultures. The use of Estela in literature and art has further solidified its significance, with references appearing in works from the medieval period onward.

Culturally, Estela resonates with themes of hope, aspiration, and illumination, making it a favored choice in many Spanish-speaking countries. The name is often associated with beauty and inspiration, drawing on the celestial imagery of stars.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Estelita have emerged, reflecting affectionate or familial uses of the name. Overall, Estela embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural heritage, symbolizing both the celestial and the earthly.

Famous people named Estela

In this section, you will find notable people named Estela. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Estela who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Estela who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Estela Warren is a model and actress best known for her roles in Planet of the Apes, The Whole Nine Yards, and The Cat in the Hat.

Estela Rodriguez is a singer best known for her work in Latin music and her collaborations with various artists.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Estela, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ElenaIsabellaSofiaLuciaClaraGabriela

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Estela. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

StellaEstelleSelenaEvelynAdelaNinaMirellaLuna

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Estela was first seen in the United States in 1903.

Estela has ranked as high as #2927 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Illinois, Florida, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Estela has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Estela is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Estela was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Estela.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 128 128
2024 115 115
2023 133 133
2022 134 134
2021 112 112
2020 96 96
2019 126 126
2018 87 87
2017 95 95
2016 73 73
2015 96 96
2014 76 76
2013 68 68
2012 88 88
2011 88 88
2010 75 75
2009 81 81
2008 84 84
2007 86 86
2006 73 73
2005 74 74
2004 82 82
2003 89 89
2002 83 83
2001 89 89
2000 98 98
1999 88 88
1998 89 89
1997 99 99
1996 97 97
1995 86 86
1994 80 80
1993 92 92
1992 92 92
1991 96 96
1990 120 120
1989 86 86
1988 81 81
1987 83 83
1986 80 80
1985 78 78
1984 79 79
1983 83 83
1982 94 94
1981 105 105
1980 100 100
1979 114 114
1978 80 80
1977 95 95
1976 106 106
1975 81 81
1974 102 102
1973 92 92
1972 93 93
1971 89 89
1970 77 77
1969 79 79
1968 82 82
1967 89 89
1966 63 63
1965 90 90
1964 91 91
1963 81 81
1962 79 79
1961 74 74
1960 74 74
1959 97 97
1958 99 99
1957 95 95
1956 81 81
1955 118 118
1954 100 100
1953 94 94
1952 121 121
1951 93 93
1950 109 109
1949 124 124
1948 92 92
1947 61 61
1946 86 86
1945 62 62
1944 78 78
1943 62 62
1942 54 54
1941 53 53
1940 48 48
1939 70 70
1938 60 60
1937 55 55
1936 67 67
1935 50 50
1934 80 80
1933 59 59
1932 82 82
1931 70 70
1930 68 68
1929 78 78
1928 73 73
1927 72 72
1926 63 63
1925 67 67
1924 40 40
1923 47 47
1922 37 37
1921 51 51
1920 40 40
1919 31 31
1918 34 34
1917 37 37
1916 15 15
1915 24 24
1914 13 13
1913 16 16
1912 8 8
1911 11 11
1910 6 6
1907 5 5
1906 6 6
1905 6 6
1903 11 11

Top States for Estela (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 28
45%
CA 24
39%
CO 5
8%
NY 5
8%