Stella

The first name Stella, a feminine name, comes from Latin and means 'the star'. This meaning can be interpreted as a hopeful message from the parents that their child should be as radiant and bright as a star.

What does the name Stella mean?

Stella is a feminine name with Latin roots and means 'the star'. This meaning can be interpreted as a parental wish for the child to shine brightly, as well as having a Christian context. The expression 'Stella maris', meaning 'star of the sea', is a title for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The name Stella originated in the 16th century and became more widely known through Goethe's tragedy 'Stella' from 1775. In Germany, the name gained popularity only in the 1970s and has been increasingly chosen as a girl's name since the turn of the millennium. Besides Germany, Stella is also common in English-speaking countries and in Italy. Notable bearers of the name include German actress Stella Hinrichs and British fashion designer Stella McCartney. Variants of the name include Estela, Estell, Estella, Estelle, Estrella, Stela, Stelle, Stellina, and Sterre.

Where does the name Stella come from?

The name Stella has its roots in Latin and means 'the star'.

How do you pronounce Stella?

The name Stella has a clear and harmonious pronunciation. It consists of two syllables and is typically pronounced in German as 'Stel-la' [ˈʃtɛla]. The doubling of the 'l' creates a compact sound in the middle, while the open 'a' at the end gently rounds off the name. Stella sounds melodious and modern, conveying a confident, feminine, and present feeling.

When is the name day of Stella?

Saint Stilla of Abenberg is often mentioned as the patron saint for Stella, with her feast day falling on July 19. However, it should be noted that the name Stilla, which is of Old High German origin and means 'the silence', is not related to Stella.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Stella enjoys great popularity and currently ranks 102nd in the list of the most common names for girls. The name achieved its best ranking in 2009 at 48th place. Over the last ten years, Stella has been given as a first name approximately 7,700 times, placing it 93rd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 84th.

Nicknames & pet names

Bella / Ella / Ellchen / Ellie / Estrella / Gestelle / Interstella / Lala / Lele / Nutella / Schdella / Schmella / Schteja / Schtella / Schtelli / Schtälly / Setella / Spelli / Ste / Stel / Stelchen / Steli / Stelie-belli / Stell / Stell-Stell / Stella-Bella / StellaBella / Stellage / Stellaki / Stellalein / Stellant / Stellanutella / Stellapropella / Stellchen / Stelli / Stellibelli / StelliDelli / Stellie / Stellina / Stellinator / Stellinchen / Stellino / Stellinski / Stellista / Stellix / Stello / Stello-Bär / Stellomat / Stellone / Stellonko / Stells / Stellski / Stellstell / Stelluli / Stellz / Stelze / Sternchen / Sternle / SteSte / Stey / Stracciastella / Stracciatella / Ständer / Teller / Telli

Similar first names

Stela

Famous people

• Anna Stella Schic (Brazilian pianist)
• Carlos Stella (Argentinian composer)
• Erasmus Stella (doctor, politician, mayor, and historian)
• Francesco Stella (Franco Stella) (famous Italian architect)
• Frank Stella (American painter)
• Jacques Stella (1569 - 1657) (French-Flemish painter)
• Joseph Stella (1877 - 1946) (American painter)
• Lucius Arruntius Stella (Roman poet of the first century AD)
• Luz Stella Luengas (Colombian actress)
• Stella Adler (American actress)
• Stella Adorf (actress)
• Stella Ahangi (German singer)
• Stella Akakpo (French sprinter)
• Stella Amanogawa (from the anime Go! Princess Pretty Cure)
• Stella Banderas (actress)
• Stella Bonheur (English actress)
• Stella Bossi (German DJ, entertainer, and music producer)
• Stella Braam (Dutch journalist and writer)
• Stella Brooks (jazz musician from America)
• Stella Chiweshe (Zimbabwean musician)