Estelle is a French feminine given name that comes from the Latin word "stella," which means "star." The name Estelle was popularized by French author Honoré de Balzac, who used it in his novel "Père Goriot" published in 1835.
The name Estelle has a long history and has been used throughout Europe for centuries. In medieval France, the name was often given to girls born under a star or during a particularly bright night sky. The name gained further popularity in the 19th century through its use in French literature, such as in Balzac's novel.
Estelle is also associated with several notable historical figures and cultural icons. For example, Estelle Faguette was a French Resistance agent during World War II, while Estelle Taylor was an American actress and dancer during the silent film era. Today, the name Estelle continues to be used throughout France and other French-speaking countries, as well as in English-speaking countries around the world.
In summary, Estelle is a beautiful and historic feminine given name with Latin roots meaning "star." It has been popularized through French literature and has been associated with notable historical figures and cultural icons throughout history.
The name Estelle saw a significant increase in popularity during the late 19th to early 20th centuries, with a peak of 1053 births in 1912. However, it declined thereafter and has remained relatively uncommon since the mid-20th century, with fewer than 100 births per year from 1967 onwards. In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence, with over 300 births annually since 2014. Overall, Estelle has had a total of 55,421 births recorded between 1880 and 2023.