Esther

#23 in New Jersey

Meaning of Esther

The name Esther is a timeless and elegant choice for a baby girl, with deep historical and cultural roots. Originating from the Hebrew name "Ester," it means "star" and is famously associated with the biblical Queen Esther, who is celebrated for her bravery and wisdom in saving her people. The name's pronunciation in English is ES-thuh (/ˈɛs.θər/), maintaining a classic charm that transcends regional accents. Over the years, Esther has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the early 20th century but consistently remaining a beloved choice among parents. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to its rich heritage and the strong, positive connotations of its namesake's story. Whether you are drawn to its historical significance or its melodious sound, Esther remains a beautiful and meaningful option for your little star.

Pronunciation

British English

  • Pronunced as ES-thuh (/ˈɛs.θər/)

American English

  • Pronunced as ES-thur (/ˈɛs.θər/)

U.S. Popularity Chart

States Popularity Chart

Notable People Named Esther

Esther Williams was an American competitive swimmer and actress known for her "aquamusicals" in the 1940s and 1950s, featuring elaborate synchronized swimming and diving performances.
Esther Duflo Banerjee is a renowned French–American economist and Nobel Prize winner known for her work in poverty alleviation and development economics at MIT.
Esther Lederberg - Esther Miriam Zimmer Lederberg was an American microbiologist known for her pioneering work in bacterial genetics, including the discovery of the bacterial virus λ and the bacterial fertility factor F, as well as the development of replica plating.
Esther Hobart Morris was the first woman justice of the peace in the United States, appointed in South Pass City, Wyoming in 1870.
Esther Salas is a trailblazing United States district judge, known for being the first Hispanic woman to serve in her position in the District of New Jersey.
Esther Mahlangu is a renowned South African artist celebrated for her bold contemporary paintings inspired by her Ndebele heritage.
Esther Perel is a Belgian-American psychotherapist renowned for her expertise in human relationships.
Esther Grace Earl was an American author, vlogger, and activist known for inspiring the bestselling novel The Fault in Our Stars, and her biography This Star Won't Go Out.
Esther Elizabeth Rolle was a renowned American actress, best known for her role as Florida Evans on the sitcoms Maude and Good Times, and she won an Emmy Award for her performance in Summer of My German Soldier.
Esther Hicks is an American inspirational speaker, author, and channeler known for her work on the law of attraction and her collaboration with non-physical entities called Abraham.
Esther Ruth Lofgren is an American rower and Olympic gold medalist, known for her success in the women's eight at the 2012 Summer Games in London and her achievements as a member of the U.S. National Rowing Team.
Esther Sans Takeuchi is a distinguished materials scientist and chemical engineer known for her work on energy storage systems and biomedical device power sources, holding over 150 U.S. patents.
Esther Dyson is a Swiss-born American investor, journalist, author, commentator, and philanthropist, known for her work in health and technology startups, as well as her role as the executive founder of Wellville.
Esther Afua Ocloo was a pioneering Ghanaian businesswoman known for her work in microlending to stimulate small businesses.
Esther Mae Wilkins was an influential American dental hygienist, dentist, and author of the first comprehensive book on dental hygiene, Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, with a dental instrument named after her.
Claudia Renata Soto
Curated byClaudia Renata Soto

Assistant Editor