Stella
Stella: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈstɛlə/
Meaning and origin of Stella
Root meaning: “star”
- A female given name from Latin.
Etymology
From Latin stēlla (“star”). Noun sense 2 is after the protagonist of How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998).
How popular is Stella?
Since 1880, 206,906 girls and 382 boys in the U.S. have been named Stella (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #38 in 2018. Its highest rank for boys was #1018 in 1893. In 2025 it ranked #52 for girls, with 4,136 babies given the name.
Names similar to Stella
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin girl names
Sibling name ideas for Stella
Sister and brother names that share Stella's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Stella FAQ
What does the name Stella mean?
Stella traces back to a root meaning "star". A female given name from Latin. From Latin stēlla (“star”). Noun sense 2 is after the protagonist of How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998).
What is the origin of the name Stella?
Stella is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Stella?
Since 1880, 206,906 girls and 382 boys in the U.S. have been named Stella (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #38 in 2018. Its highest rank for boys was #1018 in 1893. In 2025 it ranked #52 for girls, with 4,136 babies given the name.
Is Stella a boy or girl name?
Stella is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 206,906 girls and 382 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.