Surname · Hebrew origin
Stern
Meaning
The surname Stern means Star.
Origin
Hebrew
Type
ornamental
U.S. rank (2010)
#1,311
U.S. bearers (2010)
24,618
How common is it?
Stern ranks #1,311 among U.S. surnames (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 24,618 people.
The origin of the surname Stern
Stern means “star,” a popular ornamental name.
How Hebrew surnames work
Jewish surnames arise from several traditions: priestly and Levite lineage (Cohen, Levi), patronymics with ben or bar (“son of”), places of origin, and occupations. Many Ashkenazi surnames were adopted or imposed in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, including ornamental German-style names, while modern Israel saw many families Hebraise their surnames into Hebrew words.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Stern mean?
The surname Stern means Star. Stern means “star,” a popular ornamental name.
Where does the surname Stern come from?
Stern is a surname of Hebrew origin.
What kind of surname is Stern?
Stern is a ornamental surname.
How common is the surname Stern in the United States?
Stern ranks #1,311 among U.S. surnames (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 24,618 people.