Stella: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know
Stella is a Latin name meaning 'star'.
At a Glance
- Pronunciation
- STEL-uhˈstɛl.ə
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- Stella is a Latin name meaning 'star'.
- Gender
- Girl's name
- Syllables
- 2
- Nicknames
- Stel, Stelly, Ella
- US Popularity (2025)
- #52 — ➡️ Stable
What Does Stella Mean?
Stella is the Latin word for 'star'. It was used as a literary name from the sixteenth century, when Sir Philip Sidney called the heroine of his sonnet sequence 'Astrophel and Stella' by it, and it has been a given name in English-speaking countries ever since. It is related to the French Estelle and the Spanish Estrella.
The name has a few well-known cultural moments: the famous shout of 'Stella!' in Tennessee Williams's 'A Streetcar Named Desire', the beer brand Stella Artois, and the designer Stella McCartney. After a quiet mid-century, it returned to the top 100 in the 2010s and has stayed there.
How Popular Is Stella?
Stella ranked #51 in 2015 and #52 in 2025, with a peak of #38 in 2018.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.
Middle Names That Go with Stella
Classic pairings
- Stella Rose
- Stella Grace
- Stella Jane
- Stella Marie
Modern pairings
- Stella Wren
- Stella Sage
- Stella Juniper
- Stella Wilder
One-syllable options
- Stella Claire
- Stella Faith
- Stella Mae
- Stella Belle
Family-name bridges
- Stella Ann
- Stella Lynn
- Stella Catherine
- Stella Louise
Names Similar to Stella
If you love Stella, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.
Sibling Names That Go with Stella
💙 Brother names
💗 Sister names
Famous People Named Stella
- Stella McCartneyBritish fashion designer and daughter of Paul McCartney.
- Stella AdlerAmerican actress and influential acting teacher.
- Stella KowalskiCharacter in Tennessee Williams's play 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Stella
Is Stella a boy or girl name?
Stella is primarily a girl's name. It is very rarely used for boys.
How do you pronounce Stella?
Stella is pronounced STEL-uh (IPA: ˈstɛl.ə). It has 2 syllables. Common nicknames include Stel, Stelly, Ella.
Is Stella a Latin name?
Stella is of Latin origin. Stella is a Latin name meaning 'star'.
What does Stella mean?
Stella is a Latin name meaning 'star'.
Stella is the Latin word for 'star'. It was used as a literary name from the sixteenth century, when Sir Philip Sidney called the heroine of his sonnet sequence 'Astrophel and Stella' by it, and it has been a given name in English-speaking countries ever since. It is related to the French Estelle and the Spanish Estrella.
Is Stella a popular name in 2026?
Yes, Stella is a highly popular name. It ranked #52 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is holding steady in the rankings. Stella ranked #51 in 2015 and #52 in 2025, with a peak of #38 in 2018.
What are good middle names for Stella?
Good middle names for Stella include classic choices like Stella Rose and Stella Grace, modern options like Stella Wren and Stella Sage, and crisp one-syllable pairings like Stella Claire and Stella Faith. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.
Discussing Stella with your partner?
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