10 Baby Names That Mean 'Star' For Your Little Shining Light

Parents-to-be find inspiration for their baby's name anywhere and everywhere: in nature and amidst the seasons, on family trees, and in their favorite stories. But sometimes the right name feels worlds away. If you're struggling to find anything that sparks inspiration for your bundle of joy, try looking up. The skies, the cosmos, the heavens, whatever you want to call it and however you think about the great beyond, it all evokes wonder and awe in every one of us, and might just inspire the perfect name for your little light.

The universe beyond our world holds infinite possibilities for bright and brilliant baby names. Celeste, Skylar, Luna, and Skye all point directly to the cosmos. If you're wanting something more subtle, reach for names like Marcus (Latin for "dedicated to Mars"), Aurora (Latin for "dawn" and gives a nod to the ethereal aurora borealis), or Neil (Irish for "cloud" and the name of the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong). Or, pull from constellations, mythology, and astrology, with names like Apollo, Leo, and Bellatrix (part of the constellation Orion, another starry name). If you've always been captivated by the stars, names bearing their meaning are as numerous as, well, the stars themselves. Beyond obvious choices like Starre or Starla, here are 10 baby names to spark inspiration for your little shining star.

Latin for "star," Stella is a popular name for several reasons. First and foremost, it's a beautiful ode to the starry night. Secondly, its use in the classic play and film "A Streetcar Named Desire" adds a cool cultural reference. Finally, Stella has followed the trajectory of the 100-year baby name rule, which might just mean it was written in the stars for your baby girl. Estelle and Estella are variations with their own cultural references for a twist on Stella.

With strong ties to the Hebrew Bible and ancient mythology, Esther is rooted in Persian and Hebrew origins and means "star." The name is connected to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, who is tied to Venus, known as the morning or evening star for its vibrant glow. In the Bible, Esther was a lowly Jewish orphan who became queen and valiantly delivered her people from destruction. Queen Esther's courage, along with Ishtar's rule over fertility and contradictory forces like love and war, make Esther a deeply meaningful star-inspired name.

Aster is a Greek name meaning "star" or "flower." Even aster flowers have ties to the skies — Greek mythology says that after the goddess Astraea became the constellation Virgo, she cried tears that became aster flowers when they hit the Earth. Aster is gender neutral, with Astra being a feminine variation. It's derived from Aster and combined with the Latin "astrum," which means "a celestial body." Interestingly, if these starry names have you thinking of the name Astrid, just know it's a Norse word meaning "divinely beautiful" and is not related to stars at all!

Capture the cosmos with this Finnish word for "star." Tähti is most commonly pronounced "TAH-tee," although the name also has Estonian origins that alter the spelling to Tähte and the pronunciation to "TAT-eh." However you spell it, Tähti is often used to symbolize hope, guidance, and the beauty of the universe, making it a lovely choice for starry-eyed parents.

Sterling is a great choice for your little star because it means just that, "little star." The Old English word is derived from Stirling and Starling with ties to sterling silver, evoking meanings of great value and excellence. Sterling makes a strong boy's name with a subtle hint of starry brilliance.

Dara is a gender neutral name with many origins and meanings. It means "pearl of wisdom" in Hebrew, "oak tree" in its Irish Gaelic roots, and "star" in the Cambodian language of Khmer. If you love astrology or just the idea that the stars hold ancient wisdom to guide us mere mortals, Dara is a meaningful name to connect your little light to the wisdom of the universe.

For a cool, unique star name, look no further than the Basque name Izar. Basque is one of Europe's oldest living languages, so it's no surprise its word for star conjures the beauty of the night sky along with celestial guidance and navigation. Izar is an uncommon, gender neutral name that is perfect for your one-of-a-kind star.

Danica has Slavic origins that mean "morning star," making it a great star-inspired choice if your little one makes her debut in the wee hours. In Slavic mythology, Danica, as Venus, was the Sun's younger sister and allowed daylight to shine on Earth. If your little light is also a little sister, Danica is especially fitting.

Bringing new life into the world is nothing short of a cosmic event, so mark the occasion with the gender neutral name Nova. The name's Latin meaning is "new," and it's also an astronomical term referring to an erupting star. Novas occur when a white dwarf star draws in another star's material with its gravitational pull until it explodes with a sudden burst of bright light. If your little light makes a similar sudden and exciting debut, Nova might make the perfect star-kissed name for them.

Tara is a name rich in meaning across cultures, and means "star" in Sanskrit. Its Gaelic meaning is "hill," and also points to the Hill of Tara, a site of archeological significance dating back to the Stone Age. If you're looking for a name that combines the land, the skies, and history, Tara is a clear choice. The name is also significant in both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, representing compassion, healing, and protection.