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Ester Unisex

Popularity: #807 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationES-ter / ˈɛs.tər

Hebrew; Latin

Meaning

Hebrew: star; Latin: from the east

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ester has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "hadassah," which means "myrtle". This name is notably associated with the biblical figure Esther, a Jewish queen of Persia whose story is recounted in the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. The name Esther itself is thought to have been influenced by the Persian word "setareh," meaning "star," which reflects the cultural intermingling of Jewish and Persian traditions during the time of the Babylonian Exile and subsequent Persian rule in the 5th century BCE.

The narrative of Esther is significant in Jewish history, particularly in the celebration of Purim, a festival that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to annihilate them, as detailed in the biblical text. The Book of Esther was likely composed in the 4th century BCE and has been a vital part of Jewish liturgy and culture ever since. The name Esther has been carried through various translations and adaptations, appearing in the Greek Septuagint as "Esther" and later in Latin texts, which helped solidify its use in Christian contexts.

Throughout history, the name Ester has been associated with themes of bravery, resilience, and identity, reflecting the qualities of its biblical namesake. The story of Esther has inspired numerous works of literature, art, and drama, reinforcing the name's cultural resonance. In various languages, the name has taken on different forms, such as "Estelle" in French, which also means "star," further emphasizing its celestial connotations. The enduring legacy of the name Ester is a testament to its deep-rooted significance in both Jewish and broader cultural narratives.

Trend Summary

Ester has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable presence in the early to mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Esther
  • Estelle

International Variants

  • Esther (English)
  • Ester (Spanish)
  • Hester (Dutch)
  • Ester (Swedish)

Famous people named Ester

Ester Dean is a singer and songwriter best known for writing hits for artists like Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj.

Ester Perel is a psychotherapist and author best known for her work on relationships and intimacy, including the book Mating in Captivity.

Ester Rada is a singer and actress best known for her music blending jazz, soul, and Ethiopian influences, and her role in the film Ethiopia.

Ester Duflo is an economist best known for her work in development economics and co-authoring the book Poor Economics.

Fictional characters named Ester

Ester is a fictional character from the novel and film Esther. She is a young girl who becomes a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ester was first seen in the United States in 1881. Ester has ranked as high as #629 nationally, which occurred in 1925, and has been most popular in Texas, California, New York, Mississippi, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Ester has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Ester (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 18
19%
NY 15
16%
CA 13
14%
FL 10
11%
WA 8
8%
GA 8
8%
NJ 7
7%
MA 6
6%
IL 5
5%
MD 5
5%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18816
188210
18839
188413
188511
188616
188711
188821
188918
189025
189120
189235
189336
189437
189541
189643
189751
189855
189944
190072
190150
190243
190344
190452
190585
190665
190783
190859
190969
191092
1911101
1912123
1913121
1914134
1915187
1916198
1917175
1918202
1919240
1920226
1921253
1922249
1923230
1924216
1925281
1926263
1927220
1928228
1929207
1930193
1931179
1932163
1933147
1934157
1935158
1936151
1937165
1938139
1939125
1940152
1941140
1942150
1943156
1944157
1945127
1946173
1947171
1948183
1949172
1950177
1951143
1952178
1953180
1954141
1955158
1956164
1957149
1958147
1959147
1960160
1961145
1962140
1963141
1964137
1965119
196689
196789
196879
196984
197089
1971106
197286
197371
197480
197562
197660
197764
197853
197974
198072
198179
198294
198372
198456
198564
198679
198759
198870
198982
199067
199180
199269
199368
199479
199575
199671
199776
199878
199991
2000102
200179
200298
200396
200488
2005119
200695
2007103
2008137
200992
2010119
2011122
2012117
2013122
2014115
2015112
2016111
2017130
2018118
2019124
2020124
2021144
2022138
2023158
2024143