A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Esther since 1880
Babies named Esther per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Esther's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,476 |
| 1890s | 14,737 |
| 1900s | 20,026 |
| 1910s | 49,212 |
| 1920s | 49,230 |
| 1930s | 25,791 |
| 1940s | 17,639 |
| 1950s | 15,766 |
| 1960s | 10,111 |
| 1970s | 7,299 |
| 1980s | 8,819 |
| 1990s | 9,415 |
| 2000s | 11,488 |
| 2010s | 15,935 |
| 2020s | 12,290 |
Meaning & origin
Esther is a name of quiet strength and biblical heritage. In 2025, it held the 119th spot among girls' names in the U.S., given to roughly 1 in every 706 baby girls. Its peak popularity occurred way back in 1896, when it was a top choice in the late Victorian era. After a long decline, Esther began a notable revival in 1986 and has been rising ever since. Today it is especially favored in New Jersey, New York, and Alaska. The name's trajectory reflects a broader trend of rediscovering vintage names with deep roots. Esther fits comfortably among other classic revivals like Adelina, Juliette, and Violet.
The name Esther appears in the Hebrew Bible as the heroine of the Book of Esther. Its exact derivation is uncertain: it is widely thought to come from the Old Persian 'stāra', meaning 'star', though some associate it with the Akkadian goddess Ishtar. The Hebrew form is 'Estēr' (אֶסְתֵּר). The name was adopted into English through the Bible and has been in continuous use among Jews and Christians for centuries. In the 17th century, Puritans revived it alongside other Old Testament names, and it became a staple in English-speaking countries.
Where Esther is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Esther” around the world
Where Esther lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
190
babies in 2024
Ireland
21
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#91
in 2025
Quebec
32
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Essie, Esty, Ettie, Stella
Sibling names for Esther
Names that share Esther's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ruth, Lydia, Miriam, Clara, Edith, Alma, Debora, Deloris, Martha, Muriel, Rachel, Aletha, Almira, Bethel, Chana, Dinah, Dorcas, Elouise, Golda, Jael, Jemima, Myrna, Orpha, Pearline, Serene, Winifred, Yitty, Alvera, Annice, Delila, Delories, Devorah, Elmira, Elna, Genevia, Hermon, Kezia, Meriam, Myriam, Naomie, Rachal, Rutha, Ruthe, Sinclair, Vashti, Abegail, Betsabe, Breindy, Daphane, Deberah, Deborha, Deborrah, Dinorah, Elnor, Elynor, Geneve, Hazelle, Huldah, Jeannett, Judyth, Lyndia, Magalene, Magaline, Noami, Renia, Rinda, Ruchy, Ruther, Ruthy, Sheba, Terressa, Veatrice, Yudith, Zissy, Alyene, Ardythe, Clarine, Debarah, Dorcus, Edyth, Esley, Frona, Geniva, Gitel, Gizel, Gwendola, Ioma, Jezebel, Judieth, Lavita, Maryruth, Mirriam, Naomia, Natha, Nehemie, Oleva, Rechel, Rushie, Ruthanna, Sefora, Sheina, Shoshanah, Starsha, Sulamita, Tabita, Teckla, Thersa, Dama, Myrian, Achsah, Asenat, Boneta, Challis, Charna, Clarece, Cloris, Deborh, Devory, Emireth, Genette, Hager, Judeth, Judithe, Judye, Maquita, Merriam, Miria, Naome, Olivene, Orpah, Reveca, Ritha, Ruthel, Ruthella, Ruthia, Sybel, Vasti, Walta
Brothers: Ezra, Asher, Silas, Felix, Judah, Elvin, Isaac, Nehemiah, Roland, Ruben, Tobias, Walter, Abner, Abram, Amos, Chaim, Cletus, Elihu, Enoch, Enos, Gerson, Herschel, Hershel, Hiram, Hyman, Isadore, Job, Lenord, Mahlon, Maynard, Misael, Mordechai, Mose, Moses, Odell, Omer, Phil, Reuben, Rollin, Rubin, Ruel, Samson, Saul, Sheldon, Simeon, Solomon, Yisroel, Aharon, Ahron, Amon, Avraham, Barnett, Boaz, Eben, Eliazar, Eliud, Esdras, Estill, Eston, Ewell, Gamaliel, Gaspar, Gerome, Heber, Hershell, Ishmael, Jafet, Japheth, Jethro, Josias, Lawerence, Lazarus, Leviticus, Malachai, Mendy, Merrell, Meyer, Monta, Mordecai, Neftali, Obadiah, Obed, Orson, Parnell, Reginal, Rosco, Rueben, Salomon, Sampson, Sholom, Shulem, Soloman, Vester, Wright, Alwin, Avrum, Benyamin, Berl, Carlon, Cleotha, Darvis, Delmont, Doniel, Elimelech, Emmanual, Ephram, Erven, Esaw, Euell, Garlan, Garnell, Gershon, Gomer, Herchel, Hershal, Hillis, Hurshel, Jedadiah, Joab, Judas, Malvern, Mandel, Meshach, Morey, Namon, Neftaly, Orris, Pinchas, Pinchos, Reubin, Reymond, Ruvim, Shaul, Shem, Shloime, Shloma, Standley, Uzziah, Vestal, Wess, Yafet, Yehudah, Yeriel, Abdon, Absalom, Barth, Berman, Claxton, Crespin, Duglas, Duward, Erastus, Ezechiel, Fernie, Hersel, Hershall, Ishmeal, Japhet, Joas, Joram, Lavoy, Layman, Letcher, Loras, Mordche, Oseias, Phares, Samule, Shadrach, Shlome, Simuel, Ulis, Waldron, Warden, Wyndell, Yahshua, Abba, Abrham, Amram, Argel, Audwin, Avrumy, Baruc, Bishoy, Byford, Chayim, Clester, Culver, Derward, Dvid, Eliazer, Gedeon, Harce, Hymie, Isaul, Jefte, Jeptha, Joseh, Limuel, Lyndle, Melquisedec, Mervil, Moyses, Nester, Osby, Ruven, Sadrac, Selig, Solly, Solmon, Thadd, Thaddeaus, Zebulan, Zelig
Names like Esther
Names whose popularity has moved with Esther's over the last 50 years.
