Stela is a female given name of Latin origin and means "star" in Latin. The name has been popular throughout history and across different cultures, with notable figures such as the ancient Roman empress Stella and the 19th-century Romanian princess Stela Carafa bearing this name.
The name Stela has also been used in various literary works and art pieces. In Homer's Odyssey, Stella is one of the maidservants of Penelope, while in Giuseppe Verdi's opera La Traviata, the main character, Violetta Valéry, is referred to as "Stella" by her lover Alfredo Germont.
In more recent times, the name Stela has gained popularity in Eastern European countries such as Romania and Bulgaria. It continues to be a popular choice among parents looking for a unique yet meaningful name for their daughter. Overall, Stela is a timeless name with a rich history and a beautiful meaning that continues to captivate people around the world.
The name Stela has seen a fluctuating trend in popularity over the past two decades, with peak years being 2011 and 2021, each having 11 and 14 births respectively. The most common year for the name had only 5 births (2000, 2008).