A 1980s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Starlette since 1943
Babies named Starlette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 27 |
| 1950s | 80 |
| 1960s | 144 |
| 1970s | 114 |
| 1980s | 122 |
| 1990s | 26 |
| 2000s | 62 |
| 2010s | 90 |
| 2020s | 62 |
Meaning & origin
Starlette is a rare and evocative name that combines celestial imagery with a diminutive flair. First recorded in 1943, it is a modern English coinage formed by appending the French suffix -ette to the star, making 'little star.' The name saw its peak popularity in 1982, but remained uncommon throughout its history. Since 1995, it has been on a gradual upward trajectory, though still extremely rare: in 2025, it was given to only 1 in 133,939 girls. Starlette has never been associated with any specific region, and its top states are not recorded due to its low frequency. The name's charm lies in its rarity and its connection to Hollywood's golden era of starlets.
Starlette is a diminutive of Star, ultimately from Old English steorra, combined with the French feminine diminutive suffix -ette. It was used as a stage name or endearment before entering general use as a given name. The name grew in popularity in the mid-20th century in the United States and peaked in the 1980s, probably influenced by Hollywood's 'starlet' term for young actresses.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Star, Lettie
Sibling names for Starlette
Names that share Starlette's style, for a brother or sister.
