Meaning & History
Estela is the Portuguese and Spanish form of Estelle. It is a feminine given name used primarily in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries. The name ultimately derives from the Latin word stella, meaning “star.” This root is shared with other variants such as Estella and Stella.
Etymology and History
The name Estelle originated from Old French, where it meant “star.” It was rare in English-speaking regions during the Middle Ages but saw a revival in the 19th century. This resurgence is often credited to Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations (1860), in which the character Estella Havisham appears. However, the forms Estela and Estella were used earlier in Romance languages, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula and Occitan regions.
In Spanish and Portuguese, Estela is a direct adaptation of Estelle, fitting the phonetic and orthographic patterns of these languages. The name also exists in Occitan as Estela, which ultimately descended into French Estelle. The variant Estrella, also derived from the Latin word for “star,” is used in Spanish but with a phonological development that includes an r.
Related Forms
Notable related names include the Catalan Estel, the Slovak Stela, and the English diminutive Essie. A common Spanish diminutive is Estelita. These forms reflect the name’s wide distribution across European languages, all centering on the “star” meaning.
- Meaning: Star
- Origin: Portuguese and Spanish form of Estelle, from Latin stella
- Type: First name (feminine)
- Usage regions: Portugal, Brazil, Spain, Latin America
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Estela