A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hesper since 1913
Babies named Hesper per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1982, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hesper's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 18 |
| 1920s | 17 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 47 |
| 1980s | 21 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Hesper is a rare and poetic name with Greek origins, meaning 'evening star.' First recorded in U.S. births in 1913, it had only 5 births that year, marking its peak. After decades of obscurity, the name has seen a slight uptick in usage since 2022, possibly due to revived interest in celestial and mythological names. The name appears in no top states, reflecting its extreme rarity. Hesper offers a distinctive alternative to more common star-related names like Stella or Luna, with a literary pedigree dating back to John Milton. For parents seeking a name with classical roots and a celestial glow, Hesper is a quiet but evocative choice.
Hesper is derived from the Greek 'Hesperos,' meaning 'evening.' In Greek mythology, Hesperos was the personification of the evening star (the planet Venus). The name was later used in English literature, notably by John Milton in his poem 'Comus.' As a given name, it has been used sparingly, often associated with the poetic and celestial.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hess, Perry, Essie
Variants: Hesperia, Hespera
Sibling names for Hesper
Names that share Hesper's style, for a brother or sister.
