Ester is a feminine given name of Persian origin that means "star". It is derived from the Persian word "stara", which means "star". The name Ester has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Esther Addley, an American poet, and Esther Williams, an American actress and former competitive swimmer. In literature, Ester is also a character in Henrik Ibsen's play "The Lady from the Sea".
Based on the statistics provided, it appears that the name Ester has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States.
Looking at the period from 1888 to 1985, there were a total of 891 births with the name Ester. The number of births per year fluctuated significantly during this time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of girls named Ester was quite low, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1888 and 1910. However, there was a notable increase in popularity around World War I, with the highest number of births in this period being 31 in 1914.
The name Ester continued to be relatively popular throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, with an average of about 20 births per year. However, it began to decline in popularity again after the mid-1930s, with fewer than 20 births per year between 1935 and 1948.
After a brief resurgence in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with around 15 births per year, the name Ester became quite rare again. Between 1956 and 1985, there were fewer than 10 births per year with this name.
In conclusion, while the name Ester has seen some periods of popularity over the years in the United States, it has generally been a relatively uncommon name. However, it is important to note that these statistics are based on a specific time period and may not reflect current or future trends in naming practices.