Starla is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is believed to have been created by the author Jack Williamson for his science fiction novel "The Legion of Space" published in 1934. In this novel, Starla is the name of the female protagonist who is an astronaut and explorer.
The meaning behind the name Starla is not well-documented, as it was invented for a fictional character rather than being derived from an existing name or word. However, some people have interpreted its possible meanings based on its components:
* "Star" could refer to stars in the sky, suggesting brightness, beauty, and celestial nature.
* The suffix "-la" is often associated with names like Isabella, meaning "devoted to God," but it's unclear if this suffix holds any significant meaning when combined with Star.
Despite its fictional origins, Starla has since been adopted by some parents as a unique choice for their daughters. Its popularity remains relatively low, making it a rare and distinctive name in many parts of the world. Those named Starla often appreciate having an unusual yet meaningful moniker that sets them apart from others.
The name Starla has seen a varied journey in popularity over the years in the United States. The first recorded birth of a girl named Starla occurred in 1942, with eight babies being given this unique moniker.
In the following year, the number of births with the name Starla increased to twelve. This trend continued, with fluctuations in numbers each year. The late 1940s and early 1950s saw a steady rise in popularity for the name Starla, peaking at 27 births in 1947, followed by another peak of 81 births in 1953.
The 1960s were a significant decade for the name Starla. The number of births increased steadily from 1960 to 1962, reaching a high of 205 births in 1962. However, this was not sustained, and the numbers dropped significantly thereafter, reaching a low of 72 births in 1992.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw another increase in popularity for the name Starla. The number of births rose from 67 in 1995 to a peak of 90 in 2002. However, this was short-lived, and the numbers decreased again, reaching a low of 37 births in 2018.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Starla has seen another resurgence. After dropping to 40 births in 2021, the number increased to 49 in 2022 and then to 48 in 2023.
Overall, there have been a total of 8165 births of girls named Starla in the United States since 1942. This figure represents the cumulative total of births for each year, taking into account fluctuations in popularity over time. Despite its ups and downs, the name Starla has maintained a consistent presence among baby names in the U.S.