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Estella Girl

Popularity: #436 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationes-TEL-uh / ɛsˈtɛlə

Latin; Spanish

Meaning

Latin: star; Spanish: derived from Estella

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Estella has its roots in the Latin word "stella," meaning "star." This etymological lineage can be traced back to the Latin language, where the term was used to denote celestial bodies. The name entered the English language through Old French, where it was adapted as "Estelle." The transition into English occurred during the medieval period, particularly as the Norman influence permeated British culture following the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The name Estella, as a derivative of Estelle, emerged in the 19th century, often associated with a romantic or poetic connotation due to its celestial meaning.

Historically, the name Estella has been linked to various literary and cultural milestones. One notable instance is its use in Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations," published in 1860-1861, where Estella is a central character representing beauty and unattainable desire. This association with literature has contributed to the name's enduring presence in Western culture. Additionally, the name has been borne by various saints and figures throughout history, although specific historical records of individuals named Estella are less prominent compared to other names.

Culturally, the name Estella carries connotations of brightness and aspiration, resonating with the symbolism of stars as guides or markers of hope. This celestial association has made it a favored choice in various artistic and literary contexts, enhancing its appeal across generations. The diminutive form "Stella" has also gained recognition, further emphasizing the name's connection to the theme of light and guidance. Overall, Estella's etymology, historical significance, and cultural resonance contribute to its lasting legacy.

Trend Summary

Estella has seen a modest resurgence in popularity in the United States over the past few decades.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Estelle
  • Stella

International Variants

  • Estelle (French)
  • Stella (Italian)
  • Estela (Spanish)

Famous people named Estella

Estella Warren is an actress and model best known for Planet of the Apes, The Cooler, and The Planet of the Apes.

Estella Scrooge is a character in the musical Scrooge, based on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Fictional characters named Estella

Estella is a fictional character from the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. She is the beautiful but cold-hearted ward of Miss Havisham, who becomes the object of Pip's unrequited love.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Estella was first seen in the United States in 1880. Estella has ranked as high as #437 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Estella has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Estella (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 76
13%
TX 72
13%
PA 27
5%
OH 27
5%
FL 26
5%
NY 24
4%
IL 22
4%
NC 20
4%
WA 17
3%
AZ 16
3%
IN 16
3%
WI 16
3%
TN 14
2%
VA 13
2%
CO 13
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880162
1881163
1882198
1883233
1884222
1885246
1886246
1887260
1888303
1889288
1890320
1891267
1892332
1893329
1894335
1895304
1896363
1897317
1898319
1899288
1900365
1901281
1902283
1903305
1904344
1905275
1906271
1907309
1908317
1909318
1910377
1911364
1912394
1913465
1914514
1915599
1916595
1917615
1918597
1919572
1920616
1921638
1922616
1923564
1924583
1925606
1926577
1927546
1928535
1929516
1930460
1931453
1932444
1933407
1934371
1935366
1936356
1937348
1938333
1939370
1940358
1941333
1942357
1943368
1944334
1945351
1946371
1947432
1948399
1949428
1950396
1951341
1952386
1953376
1954364
1955310
1956355
1957286
1958292
1959274
1960285
1961278
1962222
1963226
1964215
1965189
1966189
1967174
1968169
1969136
1970150
1971129
1972101
1973142
1974125
1975114
1976103
1977120
1978101
1979115
1980100
1981106
198290
198384
198475
198575
198668
198771
198869
198962
199057
199171
199273
199365
199457
199550
199667
199748
199866
199963
200067
200169
200298
2003113
2004204
2005196
2006178
2007201
2008206
2009225
2010250
2011234
2012300
2013289
2014280
2015317
2016307
2017352
2018370
2019354
2020374
2021452
2022633
2023488
2024608