Stella means “star” and comes from Latin, with another possible meaning of “pillar” from Greek. Parents exploring baby name origins and meanings often choose it for its connection to the stars and its poetic background.
Meaning and Origin
Stella is a female given name derived from the Latin word stēlla, which means “star”. Alternately, it is a feminine version of the Greek name Stylianos, meaning “pillar”.
The name has been in use in English-speaking countries since it was first used by Philip Sidney in Astrophel and Stella, his 1580s sonnet sequence. Use might also have increased due to Stella Maris as a title for the Virgin Mary by Catholics. In addition, a second noun sense developed after the protagonist of How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998).
Pronunciation
Stella is pronounced STEHL-uh. The first syllable is stressed and rhymes with bell, fell, and tell. The second syllable is softer and unstressed, ending in an open vowel that rhymes with huh or the final syllable of sofa.
To say the name naturally, place the emphasis squarely on the first syllable before easing into the short, unstressed second syllable. This two-syllable pattern gives the name a clean, melodic sound that is easy to speak and readily understood across English-speaking regions.
Popularity in the US
In official United States statistics, the name is most often given to girls and first appears in the SSA data in 1880. Across all years from 1880 through the present, a total of 206,906 US girls have received the name. During the middle of the twentieth century, the name stood at rank #226 with 1,113 babies in 1950, before experiencing a decline to rank #732 with 228 babies in 1980 and then turning upward to rank #656 with 376 babies in 2000. A rapid rise in popularity followed at the start of the next decade, bringing the name to rank #85 with 3,440 babies in 2010 and carrying it to its peak rank of #38 in 2018. The name continued with high standing at rank #42 with 4,667 babies in 2020, before moderating slightly to its latest rank of #52 with 4,136 babies in 2025.
| Year | US rank (girls) | Babies named Stella |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #226 | 1,113 |
| 1980 | #732 | 228 |
| 2000 | #656 | 376 |
| 2010 | #85 | 3,440 |
| 2020 | #42 | 4,667 |
| 2025 | #52 | 4,136 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames
Parents choosing Stella have several natural, common short forms of the name to consider for daily use:
- Stell
- Ella
- Ellie
- Essie
Because Stella is already a concise, two-syllable name, many families choose to use the full name without any shortening. When a pet name is desired, these informal options offer natural ways to address a child casually among family and close friends.
Famous People Named Stella
Several prominent individuals named Stella have achieved wide recognition across creative arts, theater, and entertainment:
- Stella McCartney: An internationally renowned English fashion designer who launched her own luxury fashion house and gained worldwide recognition for her sharp tailoring and pioneering focus on vegetarian, animal-friendly materials in high fashion.
- Stella Adler: An acclaimed American actress and theater educator who founded the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, where she developed an influential acting method that trained generations of stage and screen performers.
- Stella Stevens: A prolific American actress and director who starred in major Hollywood films, television series, and stage productions across a career spanning multiple decades.
Each of these women helped keep the name visible in modern cultural life through their accomplishments in fashion, theater, and cinema.
Middle and Sibling Names
Middle names that pair smoothly with Stella include Grace, Rose, Marie, Claire, and Charlotte.
For brothers and sisters, compatible sibling names include Oliver, Henry, Jasper, and Eleanor.
FAQ
What root words form the foundation of the name Stella?
Stella originates from the Latin noun stēlla, meaning star, with an alternate root in the Greek name Stylianos, meaning pillar. The Latin root provides the primary definition of star, while the Greek connection represents a feminine form of Stylianos. Both linguistic roots offer distinct meanings that date back to ancient languages.
How many girls in the United States have been named Stella in total?
In total, 206,906 US girls have been given the name Stella since 1880 in official counts. That overall figure represents every female birth counted under the name from the initial year of national data collection through the latest published yearly tallies. Over that span, the name has maintained a steady presence in American naming patterns.
How does the peak year for Stella compare with its latest rank?
Stella reached its highest standing at rank #38 in 2018, whereas its latest standing was rank #52 in 2025. This comparison shows that while the name has moved slightly downward from its peak year, it continues to enjoy widespread use with 4,136 babies receiving the name in 2025.
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