Holding steady.
Popularity of Estel since 1893
Babies named Estel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Estel's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 9 | 36 |
| 1900s | 65 | 97 |
| 1910s | 140 | 457 |
| 1920s | 137 | 690 |
| 1930s | 64 | 440 |
| 1940s | 14 | 310 |
| 1950s | 10 | 182 |
| 1960s | 5 | 106 |
| 1970s | 0 | 45 |
| 1980s | 0 | 11 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 11 | 0 |
| 2020s | 12 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Estel is a name with stellar origins, literally meaning 'star' in Old French and Latin. First recorded in U.S. data in 1893, the name saw its peak popularity in 1905, a time when ethereal and nature-inspired names were gaining favor. Despite never entering the top ranks, Estel has maintained a steady, low-level presence in naming records, reflecting its quiet appeal across generations. With a stable trajectory and no recent surge, Estel remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with celestial meaning and a classic, understated elegance.
Estel derives from the Old French word 'estele', meaning star, which itself comes from Latin 'stella'. In medieval England, it was used as a vernacular given name, sometimes as a variant of Estelle or as a direct borrowing from French. The name has remained in occasional use since the 19th century, particularly in literary and poetic contexts.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Esti, Stella
Sibling names for Estel
Names that share Estel's style, for a brother or sister.
