Rising since 2017, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Estera since 1985
Babies named Estera per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 45 |
| 2000s | 18 |
| 2010s | 20 |
| 2020s | 23 |
Meaning & origin
Estera is a Polish and Romanian variant of Esther, a name with ancient roots. Its earliest U.S. recorded use dates to 1985, and it reached its peak rank of 11,932 in 1996, with about 1 in 229,610 babies given the name in 2025. The name has been rising in popularity since 2017, reflecting a broader trend for classic names with a distinctive Slavic twist. While no U.S. state recorded significant use, its steady ascent suggests growing appreciation among parents seeking a name that is both familiar and distinctive.
Estera is a Polish and Romanian variant of Esther, a name of debated origin. It is most often linked to the Persian word stāra meaning 'star,' but may also derive from the Hebrew name Hadassah ('myrtle'). The name Esther appears in the Old Testament as the Persian queen who saved the Jews, and Estera has been used in Poland and Romania since medieval times.
“Estera” around the world
Where Estera lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Esti, Era, Esterka
Sibling names for Estera
Names that share Estera's style, for a brother or sister.
