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Stella Girl

Popularity: #49 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationSTEL-uh / /ˈstɛlə/

Latin; Italian

Meaning

Latin: star; Italian: star

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Stella is derived from the Latin word "stella," meaning "star." Its earliest forms can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where it was used as a poetic term to denote celestial bodies. The transition of the name into English occurred through the influence of Latin on Old French, where it was adopted as a feminine given name. By the late Middle Ages, Stella had entered the English lexicon, often associated with the imagery of stars and light, which has continued to resonate through various cultural contexts.

Historically, the name gained prominence in the Christian tradition, particularly through its association with the Virgin Mary, who is often referred to as "Stella Maris" or "Star of the Sea." This title reflects the guiding and protective qualities attributed to stars, making the name significant in religious and literary contexts. The use of Stella in literature can be noted in the works of poets such as Sir Philip Sidney in the late 16th century, who immortalized the name in his sonnet sequence "Astrophel and Stella," further embedding it in the cultural consciousness of the time.

The symbolic associations of Stella with light and guidance have contributed to its enduring appeal across various cultures. In addition to its religious connotations, the name has been embraced in the arts and literature, often representing beauty and aspiration. The diminutive form "Stell" has also been used in various contexts, although Stella remains the more recognized form. Overall, the name's etymological roots and historical significance reflect a rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic heritage.

Trend Summary

Stella has seen a resurgence in popularity in the United States, ranking among the top names for girls in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Stell
  • Stelly

International Variants

  • Estelle (French)
  • Stella (Spanish)
  • Stella (Portuguese)

Famous people named Stella

Stella Adler is an actress and acting teacher best known for her work in the theater and founding the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

Stella McCartney is a fashion designer best known for her sustainable fashion brand and collaborations with Adidas.

Stella Artois is a beer brand best known for its pilsner-style lager originating from Belgium.

Stella Dotto is a singer-songwriter best known for her contributions to the indie music scene.

Fictional characters named Stella

Stella is a fictional character from the play A Streetcar Named Desire. She is the wife of Stanley Kowalski and the sister of Blanche DuBois, caught between their conflicting worlds.

Stella is a fictional character from the animated series Steven Universe. She is a member of the Crystal Gems and plays a supportive role in the adventures of Steven and his friends.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Stella was first seen in the United States in 1880. Stella has ranked as high as #108 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas. In the past 5 years the name Stella has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Stella (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 363
9%
TX 349
9%
NY 254
6%
FL 248
6%
PA 190
5%
OH 154
4%
NJ 151
4%
IL 141
3%
GA 138
3%
NC 137
3%
WA 128
3%
TN 126
3%
VA 104
3%
MA 95
2%
MO 90
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880414
1881416
1882506
1883529
1884584
1885649
1886702
1887664
1888775
1889891
1890924
1891867
1892972
1893926
18941,035
18951,026
18961,054
1897966
18981,062
1899975
19001,177
1901928
19021,075
19031,016
19041,026
19051,097
19061,141
19071,150
19081,216
19091,188
19101,319
19111,422
19121,834
19132,205
19142,771
19153,657
19163,818
19173,872
19183,928
19193,700
19203,492
19213,335
19223,166
19232,956
19242,752
19252,402
19262,191
19272,112
19281,803
19291,690
19301,570
19311,419
19321,340
19331,123
19341,095
1935945
1936967
1937916
1938877
1939954
1940962
19411,023
19421,126
19431,182
19441,017
1945993
19461,162
19471,334
19481,344
19491,220
19501,113
19511,060
1952996
1953956
1954852
1955794
1956766
1957731
1958683
1959639
1960617
1961597
1962614
1963541
1964561
1965511
1966429
1967411
1968356
1969320
1970347
1971299
1972285
1973234
1974250
1975251
1976202
1977235
1978243
1979216
1980228
1981227
1982221
1983208
1984190
1985154
1986152
1987166
1988154
1989169
1990171
1991152
1992169
1993167
1994131
1995125
1996149
1997190
1998233
1999312
2000376
2001422
2002556
2003797
20041,123
20051,308
20061,413
20071,463
20081,824
20092,560
20103,440
20113,698
20124,006
20133,916
20144,202
20154,798
20164,933
20175,069
20185,163
20194,994
20204,667
20214,818
20224,845
20234,366
20244,264