Estella means star — from the Latin stella. Great Expectations' Estella Havisham is Dickens's most beautiful, most cold-hearted character — raised to break men's hearts. The name carries the most dramatic character arc in Victorian literature: the star who was taught never to feel. Three syllables of Latin starlight, Dickens's cruelest creation, and the ice that eventually thaws.
Estella comes from the Latin stella meaning star. Great Expectations' Estella Havisham is one of Dickens's most unforgettable characters — raised by Miss Havisham to break men's hearts. She represents the star who was taught never to feel.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Latin derivative; Dickens's Great Expectations (1861).
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Today
Estella remains a beloved choice, ranking #710 in the US. 42,391 babies have been named Estella since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Estella?
1921peak year
Today, Estella is rarely chosen — ranked around #710, with only about 426 babies given the name per year. But it wasn't always this way. At its peak in 1921, 638 babies were given the name (ranked #261 nationally). Its strongest stretch was the 1920s. Estella has been trending upward in recent years. In all, around 42,391 babies have been registered as Estella since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Estella's Life Path 1 is the leader's number — cold-star leadership. People named Estella tend to be luminous, dramatic, and gifted at thawing when everyone has given up.
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