Ester: meaning of the Hebrew name
אֶסְתֵּר
Pronounced es-TER
Meaning of Ester
Ester is commonly explained as "star", from Persian, while Jewish tradition links it to the Hebrew hester, hiddenness. Queen Esther, also called Hadassah, saved her people through her courage.
And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was of beautiful form and fair to look on; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
וַיְהִי אֹמֵן אֶת־הֲדַסָּה הִיא אֶסְתֵּר בַּת־דֹּדוֹ כִּי אֵין לָהּ אָב וָאֵם וְהַנַּעֲרָה יְפַת־תֹּאַר וְטוֹבַת מַרְאֶה וּבְמוֹת אָבִיהָ וְאִמָּהּ לְקָחָהּ מׇרְדֳּכַי לוֹ לְבַת׃
Ester in Hebrew
Ester is written אסתר in Hebrew (with vowel points: אֶסְתֵּר). Hebrew is read from right to left.
- אAlef
- סSamekh
- תTav
- רResh
Gematria value: 661 (Alef 1 + Samekh 60 + Tav 400 + Resh 200)
About the name
- GenderGirl
- OriginBiblical
- Meaningstar
- Pronunciationes-TER
- Hebrewאסתר
- Syllables2
Popularity in Israel
In 2024, Ester ranked #6 among girls' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (1,022 babies).
All years 2014-2024
| Year | Rank | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 1,022 |
| 2023 | 8 | 946 |
| 2022 | 8 | 960 |
| 2021 | 9 | 910 |
| 2020 | 10 | 868 |
| 2019 | 9 | 948 |
| 2018 | 10 | 828 |
| 2017 | 10 | 944 |
| 2016 | 11 | 922 |
| 2015 | 14 | 777 |
| 2014 | 11 | 856 |
Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), first names given to Jewish newborns, 2014-2024. Ranks cover the 150 most common names per year.
Similar names
Questions about Ester
What does the name Ester mean?
Ester is commonly explained as "star", from Persian, while Jewish tradition links it to the Hebrew hester, hiddenness. Queen Esther, also called Hadassah, saved her people through her courage.
How do you pronounce Ester?
Ester is pronounced es-TER in modern Israeli Hebrew. The syllable in capital letters is stressed.
How do you write Ester in Hebrew?
Ester is written אסתר in Hebrew (with vowel points: אֶסְתֵּר).
Is Ester a biblical name?
Yes. Ester appears in the Hebrew Bible, in Esther 2:7.
How popular is the name Ester in Israel?
In 2024, Ester ranked #6 among girls' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (1,022 babies). Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
What is the gematria of Ester?
In gematria, the Hebrew spelling אסתר adds up to 661 (Alef 1 + Samekh 60 + Tav 400 + Resh 200).
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This name in Hebrew: אסתר
