Currently one of the top baby names in the United States, Stella is popular with celebrities and non-celebrities alike. The feminine moniker is sweet and pairs well with many middle names. It also has both spiritual and religious meanings.

Meaning of the name Stella:

Latin: Star

Origin of the name Stella:

Stella is the Latin word for star. It was first used as a given name for girls around the end of the Middle Ages.

Symbolism of the name Stella:

Because Stella means “star,” the name often symbolizes the celestial world. Stella Maris, which means “star of the sea,” was also a title given to the Virgin Mary, so Stella has some biblical symbolism as well.

baby name Stella

Style of the name Stella:

Traditional

Gender of the name Stella:

Stella is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Stella:

STELL-ah

Number of syllables in the name Stella:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Stella:

The baby name Stella evokes the image of someone who is feminine and sensitive.

Alternative spellings for the name Stella:

  • Stellah

Nicknames for the name Stella:

  • Star
  • Ella 
  • Stell
  • Stellie

Popularity of the name Stella:

Stella was one of the top 100 names for girls throughout the early 1900s, according to the Social Security Administration. While it fell out of favor for a while during the latter part of the century, it came back with a vengeance in the 2010s. In 2020, Stella ranked at number 42 on the list of top baby girl names in the United States.

Related names for the name Stella:

Great middle names for Stella and their meanings:

Famous people with the name Stella:

  • Stella Adler (actress and famous acting teacher)
  • Stella Stevens (actress and model)
  • Stella Ashcroft (gymnast)
  • Stealla Dupont (politician)
  • Stella McCartney (fashion designer)
  • Stella Maessen (singer)

Stellas in popular culture:

  • Stella Bonasera (character on the TV show “CSI: NY”)
  • Stella Chernak (character on the TV show “Peyton Place”)
  • Stella Kowalski (character in the play “A Streetcar Named Desire”)
  • Stella Malone (character on the TV show “Jonas”)
  • Stella the Star Fairy (character in the “Rainbow Magic” book series)
  • Stella the Storyteller (character on the TV show “Barney and Friends”)