Stella (given name)
L'Étoile Polaire, part of a 1902 Art Nouveau decorative panel by Alfons Mucha. | |
| Pronunciation | /ˈstɛlə/ STEL-ə |
|---|---|
| Gender | Female |
| Origin | |
| Meaning | star in Latin; pillar in Greek. |
| Other names | |
| Related names | Stelios, Stylianos, Estelle, Estella |
Stella is a female given name. It is derived from the Latin word for star. It has been in use in English-speaking countries since it was first used by Philip Sidney in Astrophel and Stella, his 1580s sonnet sequence. Use might also have increased due to Stella Maris as a title for the Virgin Mary by Catholics. Alternately, it is a feminine version of the Greek name Stylianos, meaning pillar.