The name Stella is of Latin origin and means "star". It has been used as a given name since the 19th century but was more popular in the early 20th century, particularly among English-speaking countries.
Stella comes from the Latin word for star, "stella", which itself derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ster-" meaning "star". It is often associated with concepts of brightness and guidance, as stars have been used throughout history to navigate by sailors and inspire astronomers alike.
In literature and art, Stella has been a popular choice for characters due to its celestial connotations. For example, it was the name of one of Robert Louis Stevenson's characters in his poem "A Christmas Sermon". In music, singer and songwriter Sting gave his daughter the name Stella, born in 1982.
While not particularly common today, the name Stella remains a classic choice for parents seeking something elegant yet approachable. Its meaning adds a touch of mystique to an otherwise familiar-sounding moniker. Overall, Stella is an attractive option that carries with it a certain celestial glamour without being overly flashy or trendy.
The name Stella experienced significant growth in popularity over the late 19th to early 21st century. It started with just 414 births in 1880 and reached a peak of 5161 births in 2018, with a total of 198,452 births over the recorded period (1880-2023). The most notable spikes occurred around World War II and the early 2000s.