Hester
Hester first appears in US records in 0. It peaked in 1918, when 394 girls were given the name.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Hester popular?
Vintage Hester is rarely given today, but saw real use in the past — it peaked back in 1918.
| 2020s | 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 12 | |
| 2000s | 15 | |
| 1990s | 49 | |
| 1980s | 154 | |
| 1970s | 239 | |
| 1960s | 348 | |
| 1950s | 754 | |
| 1940s | 1,115 | |
| 1930s | 1,523 | |
| 1920s | 3,037 | |
| 1910s | 3,111 | |
| 1900s | 1,663 | |
| 1890s | 1,401 | |
| 1880s | 796 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Hester mean?
A medieval English variant of Esther, carrying the same widely-accepted 'star' sense (via Old Persian 'stara') and the same unresolved debate over whether the root is the word for star or the goddess Ishtar. Known from Hawthorne's Hester Prynne.
Names like Hester
persian names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Hester
Popular persian names for a sibling or a middle name.
Compare Hester
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hester mean?
Hester means Star (disputed). A medieval English variant of Esther, carrying the same widely-accepted 'star' sense (via Old Persian 'stara') and the same unresolved debate over whether the root is the word for star or the goddess Ishtar. Known from Hawthorne's Hester Prynne.
What is the origin of the name Hester?
Hester is of persian origin.
How do you pronounce Hester?
Hester is pronounced “HES-ter.”
Is Hester a boy or a girl name?
Hester is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Hester a popular name right now?
Hester is rarely given today, but saw real use in the past — it peaked back in 1918.
How popular is the name Hester?
In 2025, Hester ranked #15770 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Hester most popular?
Hester was most popular in 1918, when about 394 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What names are similar to Hester?
Names similar to Hester include Roxana, Soraya, Zarina, Roya, Darya.
What names go well with Hester?
persian names that pair well with Hester include Jasmine, Esther, Jasper, Darius, Cyrus.