Picking a baby name can feel huge. You want it to carry meaning. Maybe you look up at the night sky and feel something quiet and big. Names that mean stars can capture that feeling.
This guide shares 282 names that mean stars. You’ll find literal star names and constellations. You’ll also find myths and names from more than 20 languages. Every entry includes its origin and meaning so you can choose with confidence.
Quick answer: The best-known names that mean stars are Stella (Latin), Seren (Welsh), Tara (Sanskrit) and Estrella (Spanish). For boys, Orion and Sirius lead the star-inspired picks. Every name below shows its origin and meaning.
✅ Quick Checklist Before Choosing Names That Mean Stars
Before you choose from these names that mean stars, run through this short list.
- ⭐ Check the true meaning. Some names only sound starry.
- ⭐ Say it out loud. Does it flow with your last name?
- ⭐ Think about nicknames. Stella can become Stelly or Stellie.
- ⭐ Test the spelling. Rare names like Aušrinė need patience.
- ⭐ Pick the name that feels special to you.
A star name should shine for life. ✨
Girl Names That Mean Stars

Girl names that mean stars range from timeless to rare. Start with six favorites. Then browse the full table.
- Stella (Latin): It means “star” and feels timeless. Sir Philip Sidney used it in his 1591 sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella and helped bring it into English.
- Seren (Welsh): Seren stays a favorite in Wales and means “star” outright. Its Cornish cousin, Steren, shares the meaning and feels even rarer. Both sound soft yet strong.
- Estrella (Spanish): This is the Spanish word for “star.” It grew from Latin stella, the same root behind Stella and Estelle. Say it aloud and you’ll hear the music.
- Tara (Sanskrit): Tārā means “star” in Sanskrit. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Tara is also a goddess of compassion and protection. The Irish Tara is unrelated and means “hill.”
- Danica (Slavic): Danica means “morning star.” In Slavic folklore, Danica personifies the planet Venus rising at dawn. It’s lovely for a baby born at sunrise.
- Esther (Persian): Esther is often traced to a Persian word for “star.” The biblical Book of Esther made the name a classic across many cultures. It has stayed in steady use for centuries.
Looking for more girl names that mean stars? Here are 22 more.
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| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Estelle | French | Star; the French form of Stella |
| Estella | Latin | Star; Dickens’s heroine in Great Expectations |
| Estela | Spanish | Star; a softer Spanish spelling |
| Estrela | Portuguese | Star; a common word in Brazil |
| Steren | Cornish | Star; a rare Celtic pick |
| Sitara | Urdu | Star; used across South Asia |
| Setareh | Persian | Star; lyrical and classic |
| Najma | Arabic | Star; from Arabic najm |
| Yildiz | Turkish | Star; also a Turkish surname |
| Hoshiko | Japanese | “Star child” |
| Izar | Basque | Star; short and bright |
| Realta | Irish | Star in Irish Gaelic |
| Réaltín | Irish | Little star; say it RAYL-teen |
| Astra | Latin | Of the stars |
| Stellina | Italian | Little star |
| Estrellita | Spanish | Little star |
| Sterre | Dutch | Star |
| Starla | English | A modern name built on “star” |
| Star | English | Plain and direct; linked to Christmas |
| Stela | Romanian | Star; an Eastern European spelling |
| Steluța | Romanian | Little star |
| Zirka | Ukrainian | Star |
Names That Mean Moon or Stars for Girl
Moon and star names often travel together. Many names that mean stars share the sky with the moon. These 14 girl picks blend both.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Luna | Latin | Moon; hugely popular in recent years |
| Selene | Greek | Moon goddess |
| Celeste | Latin | Heavenly; sky and stars |
| Diana | Latin | Roman goddess of the moon and hunt |
| Phoebe | Greek | Bright; also a moon of Saturn |
| Chandni | Hindi | Moonlight |
| Mahina | Hawaiian | Moon |
| Tsukiko | Japanese | Moon child |
| Elara | Greek | A moon of Jupiter |
| Artemis | Greek | Goddess of the hunt and the moon |
| Cynthia | Greek | From Mount Cynthus; a moon goddess title |
| Selena | Greek | A variant of Selene |
| Mahtab | Persian | Moonlight |
| Aylin | Turkish | Moon halo |
Unique Star Names for Girl

Want something different? These 14 picks are rarer names that mean stars from poetry and legend.
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| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Asteria | Greek | Starry; Titaness of falling stars |
| Astraea | Greek | Star maiden; goddess of justice |
| Stellamaris | Latin | Star of the sea |
| Maristela | Portuguese | Star of the sea |
| Yvaine | Literary | Fallen star in Neil Gaiman’s Stardust |
| Vesper | Latin | Evening star |
| Hesper | Greek | Evening star |
| Lucero | Spanish | Bright star; also the planet Venus |
| Elanor | Tolkien | “Sun-star”; a golden flower |
| Elentári | Tolkien | “Star-queen” |
| Elenwë | Tolkien | “Star-maiden” |
| Citlalmina | Nahuatl | Star arrow |
| Hokulani | Hawaiian | Heavenly star |
| Tarika | Hindi | Star |
Boy Names That Mean Stars

Boy names that mean stars often come from ancient languages. Start with two favorites.
- Whetu (Māori): Whetū means “star” in Māori. It’s short and soft. New Zealand also celebrates Matariki, the Pleiades star cluster, as the Māori new year.
- Kochav (Hebrew): Kochav is the Hebrew word for “star.” In the Book of Genesis, God promises Abraham descendants as many as the stars. That image gives the name real weight.
Here are 12 more boy names that mean stars.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tarak | Sanskrit | Star; also protector |
| Najm | Arabic | Star |
| Kawkab | Arabic | Star or planet |
| Kokeb | Amharic | Star; Tigrinya uses Kokob |
| Asterios | Greek | Starry |
| Astro | Greek | Star; sleek and modern |
| Stern | German | Star |
| Fetu | Samoan | Star |
| Chinese | Star | |
| Bintang | Indonesian | Star |
| Ahtahkakoop | Cree | Star blanket; a famed Cree chief |
| Nakshatra | Sanskrit | Star or constellation |
Names That Mean Stars for Boy
Real stars have real names. These 14 picks come straight from the night sky.
- Sirius (Greek): The brightest star in our night sky sits in Canis Major. Its name likely comes from a Greek word for “scorching.” Harry Potter fans know it through Sirius Black.
- Altair (Arabic): This name comes from an Arabic phrase meaning “the flying eagle.” The star shines in Aquila. It also forms one corner of the Summer Triangle with Vega and Deneb.
Here are 12 more star names for boys.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Rigel | Arabic | Foot; Orion’s blue supergiant |
| Arcturus | Greek | Guardian of the bear |
| Antares | Greek | Rival of Mars |
| Aldebaran | Arabic | The follower; Taurus’s red eye |
| Regulus | Latin | Little king; the heart of Leo |
| Castor | Greek | Mythic twin; a star in Gemini |
| Pollux | Greek | Castor’s twin; Gemini’s brightest star |
| Procyon | Greek | Before the dog |
| Canopus | Greek | Second-brightest star in our sky |
| Mizar | Arabic | A wrap or girdle |
| Alcor | Arabic | Faint companion of Mizar |
| Mirfak | Arabic | Elbow; a bright star in Perseus |
Boy Names That Mean Star or Moon

Stars and the moon share one sky. These 10 boy names pair well with the names that mean stars you’ve already met.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Chandra | Sanskrit | Moon |
| Hilal | Arabic | Crescent moon |
| Qamar | Arabic | Moon |
| Badr | Arabic | Full moon |
| Soma | Sanskrit | Hindu moon deity |
| Máni | Old Norse | The moon personified as a god |
| Chandran | Tamil | Moon |
| Khonsu | Egyptian | Moon god; “traveler” |
| Celestino | Italian | Heavenly |
| Tsukuyomi | Japanese | Shinto moon god |
Boy Names That Mean Morning Star
The morning star is Venus shining before sunrise. These 12 boy names carry that glow. Several are poetic names that mean stars in spirit.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Eärendil | Tolkien | Mariner who becomes a shining star |
| Phosphorus | Greek | Light-bringer; Venus at dawn |
| Eosphoros | Greek | Dawn-bringer |
| Zohar | Hebrew | Brilliance |
| Zerach | Hebrew | Rising light |
| Shahar | Hebrew | Dawn |
| Prabhat | Sanskrit | Morning |
| Uday | Sanskrit | Sunrise |
| Sahar | Arabic | Dawn |
| Lucian | Latin | Light |
| Arun | Sanskrit | Reddish dawn |
| Rehua | Māori | Antares; chief of the stars |
Unique Star Boy Names
Constellations make bold, unusual names. Think of them as names that mean stars with extra drama.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Orion | Greek | The Hunter; the best-known constellation |
| Perseus | Greek | Hero who defeated Medusa |
| Cepheus | Greek | Mythic king; Andromeda’s father |
| Auriga | Latin | Charioteer |
| Cygnus | Latin | Swan |
| Pegasus | Greek | The winged horse |
| Draco | Latin | Dragon |
| Aquila | Latin | Eagle |
| Corvus | Latin | Raven |
| Hercules | Greek | Hero of twelve labors |
| Bootes | Greek | Herdsman |
| Argo | Greek | The ship of the Argonauts |
🌟 Unisex Names That Mean Stars

Unisex names that mean stars keep your options open. Two favorites come first.
- Hoku (Hawaiian): Hōkū means “star” in Hawaiian. Polynesian navigators once crossed open ocean by reading the stars. It’s short and gentle. It fits any child.
- Dara (Khmer): In Khmer, Dara means “star.” It also means “gift” in Serbian. That cross-cultural reach makes it a smart pick if your family spans two languages.
Here are 18 more unisex names that mean stars.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Aster | Greek | Star; also a flower |
| Itri | Tamazight | Star |
| Citlali | Nahuatl | Star |
| Tala | Tagalog | Star |
| Hoshi | Japanese | Star |
| Dao | Thai | Star |
| Byeol | Korean | Star |
| Bituin | Tagalog | Star |
| Nova | Latin | New; a star that suddenly brightens |
| Vega | Arabic | Swooping eagle; the fifth-brightest star |
| Lux | Latin | Light |
| Starr | English | A spelling twist on “star” |
| Vela | Latin | Sail; a southern constellation |
| Zenith | Arabic | Highest point in the sky |
| Mira | Latin | Wonderful; a famous variable star |
| Capella | Latin | Little goat; a bright star in Auriga |
| Polaris | Latin | The North Star |
| Lyra | Greek | The Lyre constellation |
Aster Name Meaning
Aster comes from the Greek astēr, meaning “star.” It’s one of the simplest names that mean stars. The name also belongs to a daisy-like flower with star-shaped blooms. It suits any gender. Many parents pick it as a botanical and celestial name in one.
Names Meaning Stardust
Stardust names feel soft and dreamy. They suit parents who love names that mean stars but want a cosmic twist.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stardust | English | Cosmic dust; also a Gaiman novel | Unisex |
| Cosmo | Greek | Order; the universe | Boy |
| Cosima | Greek | Order and harmony | Girl |
| Cosmos | Greek | The universe | Unisex |
| Aether | Greek | The pure upper sky | Unisex |
| Celestine | Latin | Heavenly | Girl |
| Galaxy | Greek | Milky circle | Girl |
| Nebula | Latin | Cloud | Unisex |
| Ziggy | English | Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust | Boy |
| Astral | Latin | Of the stars | Unisex |
Names That Mean Shooting Star
These are names that mean stars in motion. Many come from meteor showers and comets.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comet | English | Icy body with a glowing tail | Unisex |
| Halley | English | Named for Halley’s Comet | Unisex |
| Meteor | Greek | Thing high in the air | Unisex |
| Meteora | Greek | Suspended in the air | Girl |
| Perseid | Latin | August meteor shower | Unisex |
| Leonid | Latin | November meteor shower; also a Russian name | Boy |
| Geminid | Latin | December meteor shower | Unisex |
| Lyrid | Latin | April meteor shower | Unisex |
| Shahab | Persian | Meteor; shooting star | Boy |
| Shihab | Arabic | Flame; shooting star | Boy |
| Ryusei | Japanese | Shooting star | Boy |
| Nayzak | Arabic | Meteor | Unisex |
🌌 Unique Names That Mean Stars
Want a name nobody else on the playground has? These unique names that mean stars come from fantasy, myth and lesser-known languages.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hester | English | A form of Esther; star | Girl |
| Estée | French | Short form of Esther; star | Girl |
| Étoile | French | Star | Girl |
| Zvezdelina | Bulgarian | Little star | Girl |
| Steredenn | Breton | Star | Girl |
| Elwing | Tolkien | “Star-spray” | Girl |
| Elrond | Tolkien | “Star-dome” | Boy |
| Elros | Tolkien | “Star-foam” | Boy |
| Elentir | Tolkien | “Star-watcher” | Boy |
| Varda | Tolkien | Queen of the Stars | Girl |
| Astarte | Greek | Goddess linked to Venus | Girl |
| Gil-galad | Tolkien | “Star of radiance” | Boy |
| Astrophel | Greek | Star lover | Boy |
| Dennitsa | Slavic | Morning star | Girl |
| Nashira | Arabic | Bearer of good news; a star in Capricornus | Girl |
| Alula | Arabic | The first; two stars in Ursa Major | Girl |
🌠 Modern Names That Mean Stars
Modern names that mean stars borrow from constellations, zodiac signs and planets. Ancient Greeks called planets “wandering stars.” The link runs deep.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Latin | Dawn | Girl |
| Phoenix | Greek | A constellation; a mythical bird | Unisex |
| Jupiter | Latin | Largest planet; king of the gods | Unisex |
| Venus | Latin | Planet known as the morning star | Girl |
| Neptune | Latin | Planet named for the sea god | Unisex |
| Cielo | Spanish | Sky | Unisex |
| Caelum | Latin | Sky; a faint southern constellation | Boy |
| Gemini | Latin | Twins; a zodiac constellation | Unisex |
| Libra | Latin | Scales; a zodiac constellation | Girl |
| Aries | Latin | Ram; a zodiac constellation | Boy |
| Mercury | Latin | Swift planet; messenger god | Boy |
| Apollo | Greek | Sun god; namesake of the moon missions | Boy |
| Cassini | Italian | Astronomer’s surname; a Saturn probe | Boy |
| Saturn | Latin | Ringed planet | Unisex |
🌍 International Names That Mean Stars
Star names exist in nearly every language. These international names that mean stars span six continents. Each one lists its language.
| Name | Language | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tähti | Finnish | Star | Girl |
| Ylli | Albanian | Star | Boy |
| Asdghik | Armenian | Little star | Girl |
| Zvezdana | Serbian | Starry | Girl |
| Zoryana | Ukrainian | Bright star or dawn | Girl |
| Csilla | Hungarian | Star | Girl |
| Zvaigzne | Latvian | Star | Girl |
| Aušrinė | Lithuanian | Morning star | Girl |
| Ülker | Turkish | The Pleiades | Girl |
| Thurayya | Arabic | The Pleiades | Girl |
| Soraya | Persian | The Pleiades | Girl |
| Matariki | Māori | The Pleiades; marks the new year | Unisex |
| Subaru | Japanese | The Pleiades | Unisex |
| Krittika | Sanskrit | The Pleiades | Girl |
| Rohini | Sanskrit | Lunar mansion; the red star Aldebaran | Girl |
| Arundhati | Sanskrit | Alcor; a faithful star in Hindu lore | Girl |
| Dhruva | Sanskrit | Unmoving; the Pole Star | Boy |
| Wichapi | Lakota | Star | Unisex |
| Quyllur | Quechua | Star | Unisex |
| Nkanyezi | Zulu | Star | Unisex |
| Nyota | Swahili | Star; also Uhura’s first name in Star Trek | Girl |
| Vinmeen | Tamil | Star | Girl |
| Kochava | Hebrew | Star | Girl |
| Agastya | Sanskrit | A sage; also the star Canopus | Boy |
| Swati | Sanskrit | Lunar mansion; the star Arcturus | Girl |
| Chitra | Sanskrit | Lunar mansion; the star Spica | Girl |
| Zvezda | Russian | Star | Girl |
| Zorya | Slavic | Goddess of dawn | Girl |
🌟 Mythological Star Names
Greek myths turned heroes and monsters into constellations. Many classic names that mean stars come with a story attached.
- Andromeda (Greek): In myth, Andromeda was chained to a rock as a sacrifice until Perseus rescued her. Her name means “ruler of men.” Today she shares it with our neighboring galaxy.
- Cassiopeia (Greek): Andromeda’s boastful mother became a W-shaped constellation after the gods punished her pride. Parents who love vintage drama often shorten it to Cassie or Cass.
Here are 18 more mythological names that mean stars.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callisto | Greek | Most beautiful; became Ursa Major | Girl |
| Atlas | Greek | Titan who holds up the sky | Boy |
| Pleione | Greek | Mother of the Pleiades | Girl |
| Maia | Greek | Eldest Pleiad; mother of Hermes | Girl |
| Electra | Greek | A Pleiad; amber or shining | Girl |
| Alcyone | Greek | Brightest Pleiad; kingfisher | Girl |
| Celaeno | Greek | A Pleiad; the dark one | Girl |
| Taygete | Greek | A Pleiad; a mountain nymph | Girl |
| Merope | Greek | A Pleiad who married a mortal | Girl |
| Asterope | Greek | A Pleiad; evokes starlight | Girl |
| Ariadne | Greek | Her crown became Corona Borealis | Girl |
| Berenice | Greek | Bringer of victory; Coma Berenices | Girl |
| Astraeus | Greek | Titan father of the stars | Boy |
| Eos | Greek | Dawn goddess; mother of the stars | Girl |
| Hyperion | Greek | Titan of light | Boy |
| Nyx | Greek | Goddess of night | Girl |
| Orpheus | Greek | Musician whose lyre became Lyra | Boy |
| Leda | Greek | Mother of Castor and Pollux | Girl |
💫 Short Names That Mean Stars
Short names are easy to spell and easy to say. Here are 16 short names that mean stars or shine like them.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leo | Latin | Lion; a zodiac constellation | Boy |
| Ara | Latin | Altar; a southern constellation | Unisex |
| Io | Greek | A volcanic moon of Jupiter | Girl |
| Sol | Latin | Sun; our own star | Unisex |
| Noor | Arabic | Light | Girl |
| Zora | Slavic | Dawn | Girl |
| Elio | Italian | Sun | Boy |
| Rhea | Greek | Titaness; a moon of Saturn | Girl |
| Eris | Greek | Goddess of strife; a dwarf planet | Girl |
| Juno | Latin | Queen of the gods; also an asteroid | Girl |
| Vesta | Latin | Hearth goddess; a bright asteroid | Girl |
| Ceres | Latin | Grain goddess; a dwarf planet | Girl |
| Dione | Greek | Titaness; a moon of Saturn | Girl |
| Nox | Latin | Night | Unisex |
| Luz | Spanish | Light | Girl |
| Zia | Arabic | Light | Unisex |
🌠 Rare & Exotic Star Names
Rare star names come straight from astronomy. Most trace back to Arabic. These are the most unusual names that mean stars you’ll meet.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aludra | Arabic | The virgin; a star in Canis Major | Girl |
| Betelgeuse | Arabic | Orion’s red supergiant shoulder | Unisex |
| Deneb | Arabic | Tail; the Swan’s tail star | Boy |
| Fomalhaut | Arabic | Mouth of the fish | Boy |
| Alhena | Arabic | The brand mark; a star in Gemini | Girl |
| Saiph | Arabic | Sword; a star in Orion | Boy |
| Meissa | Arabic | The shining one | Girl |
| Zosma | Greek | Girdle; a star in Leo | Unisex |
| Mirzam | Arabic | The announcer | Boy |
| Hamal | Arabic | Lamb; Aries’s brightest star | Boy |
| Sheratan | Arabic | The two signs | Boy |
| Wezen | Arabic | The weight | Boy |
| Alnilam | Arabic | String of pearls; Orion’s belt | Unisex |
| Mintaka | Arabic | The belt | Girl |
| Achernar | Arabic | River’s end | Boy |
| Alnitak | Arabic | The girdle | Boy |
✨ Cute & Sweet Star Names
Some of the cutest names that mean stars are nicknames and pet forms. These cute names that mean stars work as short forms or full names.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estie | English | Pet form of Estella or Esther | Girl |
| Essie | English | Pet form of Esther | Girl |
| Stellie | English | Pet form of Stella | Girl |
| Stelly | English | Playful short form of Stella | Girl |
| Stelle | Italian | Stars | Girl |
| Celie | English | Short for Celeste | Girl |
| Cece | English | Nickname for Celeste | Girl |
| Hettie | English | Pet form of Hester | Girl |
| Twinkle | English | A twinkling star | Girl |
| Sparkle | English | A bright, glittering star | Girl |
| Starlet | English | A young star | Girl |
| Estellita | Spanish | Little star | Girl |
🛠 How We Create Names That Mean Stars
We build every list of names that mean stars the same way.
- Start with names that literally mean “star.”
- Add constellations and named stars.
- Explore myths and legends.
- Look across languages and cultures.
- Keep names with real roots. Skip invented ones.
We focus on light, hope and uniqueness.
💡 Tips for Making Your Star Name Stand Out
Names that mean stars work best with a little planning.
- Pair it with a grounded middle name. Stella Rose or Orion James balances a cosmic first name.
- Learn the story. Knowing why Danica means “morning star” gives you a great answer when people ask.
- Say your top names that mean stars with your surname.
- Check initials and nicknames before you commit.
- Choose a rare spelling only if you’ll happily spell it for life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What girl names mean star?
Stella, Estelle, Seren, Tara and Sitara all mean “star.” These girl names that mean stars come from Latin, French, Welsh, Sanskrit and Urdu.
What boy names mean star?
Tarak, Kochav, Najm and Whetu mean “star.” Boy names that mean stars also include star and constellation picks like Sirius and Orion.
Are there unique names that mean stars?
Yes. Aludra, Zosma, Steredenn and Asdghik are rare. These unique names that mean stars come from astronomy and lesser-known languages.
What short names mean star?
Star, Tara, Dara and Hoku are short names that mean stars. Seren and Sitara are short too.
Are star names modern?
Yes and no. Stella and Esther are centuries old. Nova and Orion feel fresh today. Names that mean stars suit both classic and modern tastes.
🌟 Conclusion
Names that mean stars carry hope, guidance and wonder. Whether you love classic Stella, bold Orion or rare Aludra, there’s a name here for you.
Say your favorites out loud. Check each meaning once more. Then choose the one that feels like your little star. Which of these names that mean stars will you pick?


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