Esther

Esther is a girl's name of Hebrew and Persian origin and great merit within the Hebrew Bible. The titular figure of the Book of Esther, this incredible heroine's deeds are substantial, and her name's meaning shines a light on her bravery. The Bump member ckmommy says exactly why this biblical figure is a noble namesake: "I think of Queen Esther in the Bible who stood up for her people against her husband. She was courageous and strong. Those are the things I think about when I hear this beautiful name."

Esther is a form of the Hebrew ʾEsṯer and is also traced back to the Old Persian stāra, which means "star," aligning the name to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. Largely associated with the planet Venus and the Evening Star, Ishtar presides over love, beauty, justice, and fertility. Embracing many great facets of femininity, Esther is a stirring name to rouse courage and strength in all who bear it.

Fun Facts About the Name Esther

• Hester vs. Esther: During the Protestant Reformation and Puritan settlement of New England in the 17th century, a variation of Esther came about: Hester. Hester was initially a popular alternative to Esther, but soon fell out of fashion. This might be due to the 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which features the protagonist Hester Prynne.
• The biblical Queen Esther: The biblical Queen Esther actually had two names. Her original Hebrew birth name was Hadassah. When she entered the Persian royal court, she adopted the name Esther.
• A Top 500 favorite: Since the US government began recording name data in 1880, Esther has consistently remained a favorite among parents and has never left the Top 500 girl names. As of 2025, the lowest Esther has ever ranked was #348 in 1970.