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Stella

Girl name · 563 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Stella: 563 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 31 births in 2006.

Of Latin origin, Stella means simply "star," a meaning that has given it a luminous, timeless appeal. The name was popularised in the 16th century by the poet Sir Philip Sidney, who used it for the beloved in his sonnet sequence *Astrophel and Stella*. Famous bearers include the pioneering American actress Stella Adler, who taught generations of performers at her own studio, and the British artist Stella Vine, known for her vivid, emotionally charged portraits. The name also appears in the title of the classic play *A Streetcar Named Desire*, whose central character is the gentle Stella Kowalski. A notable variant is Estelle, which shares the same Latin root and meaning.