Esther
Female namePersian
✨ Meaning
Esther is generally derived from the Persian 'stara,' meaning star, and has also been connected to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. The biblical Esther bears a Hebrew name as well, Hadassah, meaning myrtle, and the book explains that she used the Persian name at court. A name meaning star that belonged to a queen who concealed her identity has an unusually layered history.
🌍 Origin
The Book of Esther recounts how a Jewish queen of Persia prevented the destruction of her people, an event still commemorated at the festival of Purim. The name has been continuously used in Jewish communities and was taken up widely by English Protestants after the Reformation. It has returned strongly in Britain and the United States since the 2000s.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Esther
- Esther Duflo
- Esther Williams
- Esther Rantzen
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Esther mean?
Esther is usually derived from the Persian word for star, with a possible connection to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar.
What is Esther's Hebrew name?
The biblical text also gives her the Hebrew name Hadassah, meaning myrtle.
How is Esther pronounced?
In English it is ESS-ter. Hebrew and Spanish speakers say es-TER with the stress on the second syllable.