Holding steady.
Popularity of Vesta since 1880
Babies named Vesta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Vesta's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 320 |
| 1890s | 750 |
| 1900s | 1,031 |
| 1910s | 1,798 |
| 1920s | 1,668 |
| 1930s | 940 |
| 1940s | 628 |
| 1950s | 414 |
| 1960s | 223 |
| 1970s | 123 |
| 1980s | 83 |
| 1990s | 66 |
| 2000s | 45 |
| 2010s | 57 |
| 2020s | 35 |
Meaning & origin
Vesta carries the quiet dignity of its Roman goddess namesake, guardian of the hearth. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, the name reached its peak year of popularity in 1894, when it was most commonly given. Since then its use has been stable but rare, and it has not appeared in the top 1000 in recent years, with no rank for 2025. The trajectory indicates a stable but very low-frequency name, often chosen by parents drawn to mythological or classical names. While no states show concentrated popularity, Vesta retains a timeless, elegant feel that fits alongside other goddess names like Aurora and Diana.
Vesta is the Latin name of the Roman goddess of the hearth, home, and family, equivalent to the Greek Hestia. The name derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁wes- meaning 'to burn' or 'to dwell'. In ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins tended the eternal flame in her temple. The name was revived in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, and saw modest use in the United States from the 1880s onward.
Where Vesta 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Vee, Essie
Variants: Hestia
Sibling names for Vesta
Names that share Vesta's style, for a brother or sister.
