UK girl's name
Estela
A feminine Spanish diminutive of "Estrella" meaning "little star".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Estela is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Estela popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 11 births.
This profile covers 72 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2004 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 36% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 72 living people in the UK are called Estela. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Estela ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 11 girls were registered as Estela.
- • About 72 living people in the UK are estimated to have Estela as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4709
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2010
11 births
Estimated living
72
2026
Meaning
What does Estela mean?
The name Estela originated from the Latin word "stella," which means "star." It has its roots in ancient Roman culture, where stars held significant celestial and mythological importance. The name was likely derived as a feminine form of the masculine name "Stellius" or "Stellanus," both meaning "of the stars."
During the Roman era, the name Estela was not widely used, but it gained popularity in the Medieval period across various European regions, particularly in Spain and Portugal. It is believed that the name's widespread adoption was influenced by the veneration of saints and religious figures associated with stars or celestial themes.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Estela can be traced back to the 12th century in Spain. Estela Sánchez de Navarra (1148-1235) was a Spanish noblewoman and the wife of King Sancho VI of Navarre. Her name is documented in historical records and chronicles of the time.
In the 14th century, Estela de Forment (1313-1386) was a prominent Catalan painter and illuminator active in Barcelona, Spain. She is considered one of the earliest known professional female artists in the Iberian Peninsula.
During the Renaissance period, Estela Calderini (1483-1542) was an Italian humanist, scholar, and poet from Milan. She was renowned for her mastery of Latin and Greek literature and was highly regarded in intellectual circles of her time.
In the 17th century, Estela Roîs (1611-1688) was a French playwright and novelist from Grenoble. She wrote several popular plays and novels that explored themes of love, honor, and societal norms.
Another notable figure with the name Estela was Estela Canto (1915-1994), a Mexican actress and singer who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout her career. She was renowned for her versatility and captivating performances on stage and screen.
While the name Estela has its origins in ancient Roman culture, it has been adapted and embraced across various regions and cultures over the centuries, particularly in Europe and Latin America. The name's association with celestial themes and its rich historical legacy have contributed to its enduring popularity and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Estela over time
The chart below shows babies named Estela registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Estela, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Estela by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Estela was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4949 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3426 | 50 | 7 |
| 2000s | #4651 | 11 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Estela
- Emily 121,621
- Ella 69,101
- Ellie 63,522
- Evie 52,944
- Emma 50,755
- Eleanor 40,576
- Elizabeth 39,225
- Erin 34,816
- Eva 29,738
- Evelyn 26,911
- Elsie 23,671
- Emilia 22,167
FAQ
Estela: questions and answers
How popular is the name Estela in the UK right now?
In 2023, Estela was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Estela most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 11 babies registered as Estela in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Estela?
A feminine Spanish diminutive of "Estrella" meaning "little star".
How many people are called Estela in the UK?
A total of 72 babies have been registered as Estela across the 13 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.