Looking for names that mean “star” is a beautiful way to find a baby name connected with light, beauty, hope, and the night sky. Stars have inspired names across many cultures, languages, and naming traditions, giving parents plenty of meaningful choices.
Some names in this guide literally mean “star,” while others mean “morning star,” “shooting star,” “heavenly star,” or contain an element associated with stars. Examples include Stella, Seren, Setareh, Sitara, Yıldız, Hoshi, Izar, Naledi, Najm, and Whetū.
Because name meanings can vary according to language, spelling, and historical usage, it is important to distinguish a name’s exact meaning from a broader celestial association. The list below follows that distinction wherever the available etymology is uncertain or depends on the written form.
Quick Facts About Names That Mean Star
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main meaning | Star |
| Related meanings | Morning star, shooting star, heavenly star, star flower |
| Theme | Celestial, astronomical, nature-inspired |
| Gender | Girl, boy, and gender-neutral options |
| Origins | Latin, Greek, Persian, Arabic, Welsh, Turkish, Japanese, Chinese, Slavic, Mongolian, Māori, and more |
| Popular styles | Classic, modern, international, short, distinctive |
| Best for | Parents looking for celestial baby names |
Girl Names That Mean Star
1. Stella
Stella is one of the most recognizable names connected directly with the meaning “star.” It comes from Latin “stella,” meaning “star.” The name is used in several European languages, including English, Italian, Dutch, and German.
2. Estelle
Estelle is a French and English feminine name ultimately derived from the Latin “stella,” meaning “star.” It has an elegant and traditional sound.
3. Estrella
Estrella is the Spanish form of Stella and also corresponds to the Spanish word for “star.” It is a beautiful choice for parents who want a Spanish-language celestial name.
4. Esther
Esther is traditionally associated with the meaning “star,” although its exact etymology is uncertain. One proposed explanation connects it with a Persian word meaning “star,” while another theory connects it with the ancient goddess Ishtar.
5. Astra
Astra is associated with the Greek word “aster,” meaning “star.” It has a short, distinctive sound and a clearly celestial character.
6. Astraea
Astraea is a Latinized form of the Greek name Astraia. It derives from the Greek word “aster,” meaning “star.” In Greek mythology, Astraea was associated with justice and innocence.
7. Astghik
Astghik is an Armenian feminine name derived from a word meaning “star.” In Armenian mythology, Astghik was a goddess associated with love and water.
8. Bituin
Bituin is a Tagalog name meaning “star.” Its direct meaning and uncommon sound make it an interesting international choice.
9. Citlalli
Citlalli is a Nahuatl name meaning “star.” It provides a distinctive option with a direct celestial meaning.
10. Csilla
Csilla is a Hungarian feminine name derived from csillag, meaning “star.” It has a distinctly Hungarian linguistic and cultural background.
11. Danica
Danica is a Slavic feminine name meaning “morning star, Venus.” It is used in several Slavic languages, including Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, Slovak, and Macedonian.
12. Seren
Seren is a Welsh feminine name meaning “star.” It is short, simple, and easy to recognize while retaining its Welsh origin.
13. Setareh
Setareh is a Persian feminine name meaning “star.” It is an elegant choice for parents looking for a Persian celestial name.
14. Sitara
Sitara is an Urdu name meaning “star.” The word ultimately comes from Persian and is also familiar as a poetic term for a star.
15. Yıldız
Yıldız is a Turkish feminine name meaning “star.” Its direct meaning gives it a strong connection with the night sky.
16. Yulduz
Yulduz is an Uzbek feminine name meaning “star.” It provides an international alternative to more familiar star names.
17. Zornitsa
Zornitsa is a Bulgarian feminine name meaning “morning star.” It is connected with the dawn and the appearance of the morning star.
18. Zoryana
Zoryana is a Ukrainian name associated with zorya, a word connected with dawn and the stars.
19. Hōkūlani
Hōkūlani is a Hawaiian feminine name meaning “heavenly star.” It combines hōkū, meaning “star,” with lani, associated with heaven or the sky.
20. Hoshi
Hoshi is a Japanese feminine name that can be written with 星, meaning “star.” Japanese names can have different meanings depending on the kanji selected, so the written form should always be checked.
Boy Names That Mean Star
1. Najm
Najm is an Arabic masculine name meaning “star.” It is short, distinctive, and has a direct celestial meaning.
2. Najm ad-Din
Najm ad-Din is an Arabic masculine name meaning “star of the faith.” It combines najm, meaning “star,” with dīn, referring to religion or faith.
3. Shihab
Shihab is an Arabic masculine name meaning “shooting star” or “meteor.” It is particularly suitable for parents who want a more specific celestial meaning.
4. Akhtar
Akhtar is used as both a masculine and feminine name in Urdu and Bengali. It comes from Persian akhtar, meaning “star.”
5. Ylli
Ylli is an Albanian masculine name derived from yll, meaning “star.”
6. Itri
Itri is a Berber masculine name meaning “star” in Tamazight.
7. Dzvezdan
Dzvezdan is a Macedonian masculine name related to dzvezda, meaning “star.”
8. Ojigkwanong
Ojigkwanong is an Algonquin name meaning “morning star.” It is a distinctive choice with a strong cultural and celestial association.
9. Kisecawchuck
Kisecawchuck is a Cree name meaning “day star.” It is a historically documented name with a distinctive connection to celestial imagery.
10. Astrophel
Astrophel is a literary name created from Greek elements associated with “star” and “lover.” It is particularly known from Sir Philip Sidney’s literary work Astrophel and Stella.
11. Ahtahkakoop
Ahtahkakoop is an Anglicized Cree name meaning “star blanket.” It was also the name of a historical Plains Cree chief.
12. Seong-jin
Seong-jin is a Korean masculine name that can use the hanja 星, meaning “star” or “planet.” Since Korean names may be written with different hanja, the exact meaning depends on the characters chosen.
Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Star
Akhtar
Akhtar is used for both males and females in Urdu and Bengali and comes from Persian akhtar, meaning “star.”
Dara
Dara is a Khmer name used for both males and females and means “star.”
Izar
Izar is a Basque name used for both males and females and means “star.”
Nkanyezi
Nkanyezi is a Zulu name used for both males and females. It comes from inkanyezi, meaning “star.”
Nthanda
Nthanda is a Tumbuka name used for both males and females and means “star.”
Ulloriaq
Ulloriaq is a Greenlandic name used for both males and females and means “star.”
Whetū
Whetū is a Māori name used for both males and females and means “star.”
Xing is a Chinese name used for both males and females. When written as 星, it means “star” or “planet.” Other characters can have the same pronunciation, so the exact written form matters.
Short Names That Mean Star
If you want a short and memorable baby name, these choices have direct or closely related star meanings:
- An—can mean “peace” or “quiet,” not literally “star”; it should not be treated as a direct star name.
- Izar—”star” in Basque.
- Itri—”star” in Tamazight.
- Najm—”star” in Arabic.
- Plei—associated with the Pleiades in certain naming traditions.
- Seren—”star” in Welsh.
- Stella—”star” in Latin.
- Tara—”star” in Sanskrit.
- Xing—”star” or “planet” when written with 星 in Chinese.
- Ylli—derived from Albanian yll, meaning “star.”
Names That Mean Morning Star
The morning star is one of the most beautiful celestial images, often associated with dawn, brightness, and the planet Venus.
Danica
Danica means “morning star, Venus” in several Slavic languages.
Dalva
Dalva is a Portuguese feminine name associated with estrela d’alva, meaning “morning star” or Venus.
Zornitsa
Zornitsa is a Bulgarian feminine name meaning “morning star.”
Ojigkwanong
Ojigkwanong means “morning star” in Algonquin.
Wâpanacâhkos
Wâpanacâhkos is a Cree feminine name meaning “morning star, Venus.”
Names That Mean Shooting Star
Shihab
Shihab is an Arabic name meaning “shooting star” or “meteor.”
Shuhaib
Shuhaib is listed by Muslim Babies with the meaning “little shooting star.”
Shuhaibah
Shuhaibah is listed by Muslim Babies as a feminine name associated with “little shooting star.”
These names can be especially appealing if you want something more specific than a general “star” meaning.
Names That Mean Heavenly Star
Hōkūlani
Hōkūlani means “heavenly star” in Hawaiian. It combines the idea of a star with the heavens or sky.
Ahtahkakoop
Ahtahkakoop means “star blanket” in Cree, creating imagery of a blanket covered with stars.
Names That Mean Star Flower
Odtsetseg
Odtsetseg is a Mongolian feminine name meaning “star flower.” It combines od, meaning “star,” with tsetseg, meaning “flower.”
This is a lovely choice for parents who want a name combining celestial and floral imagery.
Names That Mean Star of the Faith
Najm ad-Din
Najm ad-Din means “star of the faith.” The name combines najm, meaning “star,” and dīn, meaning religion or faith.
It therefore combines celestial imagery with a religious meaning.
Beautiful International Names That Mean Star
One of the best things about exploring names that mean “star” is discovering how different cultures express the same celestial idea.
Persian
- Setareh—star
- Akhtar—star
Urdu
- Sitara—star
- Akhtar—star
Arabic
- Najm—star
- Shihab—shooting star or meteor
- Najm ad-Din—star of the faith
Welsh
- Seren—star
Turkish
- Yıldız—star
Uzbek
- Yulduz—star
Basque
- Izar—star
Albanian
- Ylli—star
Māori
- Whetū—star
Japanese
- Hoshi—star, when written with the appropriate kanji
Hawaiian
- Hōkūlani — heavenly star
Persian- and Sanskrit-influenced traditions
- Sitara — star
- Tara — star in Sanskrit
Muslim and Arabic Names That Mean Star
Parents searching for Muslim baby names that mean star may want to consider names with Arabic or Persian origins.
Najm
Najm directly means “star” in Arabic.
Najm ad-Din
Najm ad-Din means “star of the faith.”
Shihab
Shihab means “shooting star” or “meteor.”
Akhtar
Akhtar is a Persian-origin name meaning “star” and is used in Urdu and Bengali naming traditions.
Muslim Babies also provides a dedicated collection of names associated with the meaning “star,” including options for boys and girls. (muslimbabies.com)
Unique Names That Mean Star
If you want a name that feels less familiar, these options have distinctive sounds, spellings, or cultural backgrounds:
- Ahtahkakoop — star blanket
- Astghik — star
- Bituin — star
- Citlalli — star
- Csilla — derived from a Hungarian word meaning star
- Hōkūlani — heavenly star
- Itri — star
- Izar — star
- Odtsetseg — star flower
- Seren — star
- Setareh — star
- Ulloriaq — star
- Whetū — star
- Yulduz — star
- Zornitsa — morning star
The word “unique” here describes the names’ distinctive character or relative unfamiliarity to many English-speaking readers. It is not a statistical claim about their popularity.
Names Inspired by Stars and the Night Sky
Not every beautiful celestial name literally means “star.” Some names are associated with planets, constellations, astronomical objects, or the wider night sky.
For example, Danica refers to the morning star, traditionally associated with Venus, while Hōkūlani means heavenly star. Other celestial names may refer to particular astronomical objects without translating directly to “star.”
Nameberry’s collection of star-related baby names also includes names inspired by broader celestial themes. (nameberry.com)
This distinction is useful when choosing a name. If the exact dictionary meaning matters to you, check whether the name means star itself or is simply associated with a celestial object.
Names Connected With Stars and Light
Stars naturally symbolize brightness and light, so some star-related names have an especially luminous feel.
Danica
Danica means “morning star, Venus,” connecting the name with the bright object visible around dawn.
Lucero
Lucero is a Spanish name associated with a “bright star” and a source of light. It is particularly associated with Spanish-speaking naming traditions.
Stella
Stella literally means “star,” making it one of the clearest choices for a name that evokes nighttime light.
How to Choose the Right Name That Means Star
1. Decide What Kind of Star Meaning You Want
You may want a name that literally means “star,” or you may prefer a more specific meaning such as “morning star,” “shooting star,” “heavenly star,” or “star flower.”
2. Consider the Name’s Language
A name’s cultural and linguistic background can be just as important as its meaning. If you love a particular language or heritage, start your search there.
3. Check the Original Meaning
Some names have multiple proposed etymologies. Esther, for example, is commonly associated with “star,” but its precise origin is debated. When a meaning is uncertain, it is better to recognize that uncertainty rather than treat one theory as proven.
4. Check the Spelling
Names from languages that use different writing systems can change meaning depending on the characters used. This is particularly important with Japanese, Chinese, and Korean names.
5. Say the Name With the Surname
Say your favorite first name together with the middle and family names. Consider the rhythm, pronunciation, initials, and overall flow.
6. Think About Everyday Use
A name may look beautiful on a list but feel different when spoken aloud. Consider how easy it will be for family members, teachers, and others to pronounce and spell.
7. Research Cultural Context
Before choosing an international name, learn about its language, cultural background, and traditional use. This can help you make a more informed choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What name means star?
Names that directly mean “star” include Stella, Seren, Setareh, Sitara, Yıldız, Izar, Naledi, Najm, Whetū, and Ylli.
What girl name means star?
Beautiful girl names meaning or directly associated with star include Stella, Estelle, Estrella, Astra, Seren, Setareh, Sitara, Yıldız, Danica, and Hoshi.
What boy name means star?
Boy names associated with the meaning star include Najm, Ylli, Itri, Akhtar, and Shihab. Some of these are also used across genders.
What is a gender-neutral name that means star?
Akhtar, Dara, Izar, Nkanyezi, Nthanda, Ulloriaq, Whetū, and Xing are documented as names used for both males and females and associated with the meaning “star.”
What name means morning star?
Danica, Dalva, Zornitsa, Ojigkwanong, and Wâpanacâhkos are associated with the meaning “morning star.”
What name means shooting star?
Shihab is an Arabic name meaning “shooting star” or “meteor.” Muslim Babies also lists Shuhaib and Shuhaibah with the meaning “little shooting star.”
What name means heavenly star?
Hōkūlani is a Hawaiian name meaning “heavenly star.”
What name means star flower?
Odtsetseg is a Mongolian feminine name meaning “star flower.”
What is a Persian name meaning star?
Setareh means “star” in Persian. Akhtar is another Persian-origin name associated with the same meaning.
What is an Urdu name meaning star?
Sitara means “star” in Urdu and ultimately comes from Persian.
What is an Arabic name meaning star?
Najm means “star” in Arabic. Shihab means “shooting star” or “meteor.”
Is Stella a name that means star?
Yes. Stella comes from Latin stella, meaning “star.”
Does Esther mean star?
Esther is commonly associated with “star,” but its exact etymology is uncertain. Persian and ancient Near Eastern explanations have both been proposed.
What is a short girl name that means star?
Stella, Seren, Tara, and Hoshi are relatively short names associated directly or closely with stars.
What is a unique name that means star?
Distinctive options include Odtsetseg, Hōkūlani, Bituin, Astghik, Whetū, Izar, and Yulduz. Their distinctive character comes from their linguistic and cultural backgrounds rather than a statistical popularity ranking.
Final Thoughts
There are many beautiful names that mean star, from familiar choices such as Stella and Estelle to international names such as Setareh, Sitara, Seren, Yıldız, Izar, and Whetū.
If you want a more specific celestial meaning, consider Danica for “morning star,” Shihab for “shooting star,” Hōkūlani for “heavenly star,” or Odtsetseg for “star flower.”
The best choice ultimately depends on the sound you love, the culture or language you want to honor, and the exact meaning you want the name to carry. Always check the original spelling and etymology, especially when a name can have more than one interpretation.
For more meaningful baby-name ideas, explore Namesajaca.