Astra

Astra is a feminine given name of Greek and Old Norse origin, most commonly used in the English-speaking world. It means "star," deriving ultimately from the Greek word ἀστήρ (aster). The name has been in rare use only since the 20th century.

Etymology and Linguistic Roots

The name Astra is directly connected to the Greek noun for "star," but its popularity may also be influenced by its resemblance to the Scandinavian name Astrid, which is of Old Norse origin meaning "divine strength." During the 20th century, Astra gained modest usage as a modern, celestial name akin to Stella or Estelle.

Variants and Related Forms

Astra has a variant form Aster, a direct transliteration of the Greek word. In Greek mythology, the names Astraea and Astraia represent the goddess of justice who was associated with the constellation Virgo.

Notable Bearers

Among known bearers of the name Astra are Latvian athletes such as Astra Biltauere (volleyball player), Astra Goldmane and Astra Klovāne (chess players), and Astra Rībena (luger). In the arts, Astra Desmond was a British contralto, Astra Taylor is a Canadian-American filmmaker, and Astra Blair a British opera singer. Indonesian actress and model Astra Ivo also carries the name. As a surname, Gunārs Astra was a notable Latvian human rights activist. In fiction, the name appears for characters such as Astra from DC Comics and Dr. Astra from the Halo universe. An anime character named Astra is the protagonist of Kanata no Astra.

• Meaning: star
• Origin: Greek via aster; sometimes linked to Old Norse via Astrid
• Type: Feminine given name
• Regions of Use: English-speaking countries, Latvia, and broadly international