Stella
Stella is a Christian girl name of Latin origin, meaning “Star”.
| Meaning | Star |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Latin |
| Pronunciation | STEL-ah |
| Tradition | Christian, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany |
Meaning and origin of Stella
Stella is the Latin word for star. It was used as a literary name by Sir Philip Sidney in his sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella in the 1580s and later by Jonathan Swift as his pet name for Esther Johnson. In the Catholic tradition, Stella Maris, 'Star of the Sea', is an ancient title of the Virgin Mary, which helped the name in Italy and Ireland. Today it is also known through characters such as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Is Stella a Christian name?
Stella is not a biblical name, but Stella Maris is a long-standing title of Mary, protector of sailors, and some Catholic families choose it with that in mind. Most parents simply love its starry meaning.
How popular is Stella?
Popular in the US and much of Europe in recent years, after a long period out of fashion.
Gifts with the name Stella
- Stella name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Stella baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Stella
Names similar to Stella
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stella mean?
Stella means 'Star'. It is of Latin origin.
Is Stella a Christian name?
Stella is not a biblical name, but Stella Maris is a long-standing title of Mary, protector of sailors, and some Catholic families choose it with that in mind. Most parents simply love its starry meaning.
How do you pronounce Stella?
Stella is pronounced STEL-ah.
Is Stella a boy or girl name?
Stella is usually a girl name.