Esther

Possibly “star”; the ultimate derivation is disputed

Esther is a feminine biblical name often interpreted as “star”, through a possible Persian connection. Its earlier origin is uncertain: a link with Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess, is another established explanation. The name reached later naming traditions through the Hebrew form Ester, so its biblical setting and its ultimate linguistic roots are different parts of the story. In the Book of Esther, the Jewish queen is also called Hadassah. That Hebrew name means “myrtle”; it is a second name for the same figure, rather than a translation of Esther. This distinction leaves Esther with a particularly layered background: the familiar queen, an ancient name with more than one proposed origin, and the appealing star interpretation. In English, Esther has two syllables, stressed on the first, and the th is pronounced as t. The s and t give the middle a crisp edge before the softer ending. German also stresses the first syllable, while Spanish puts the stress on the second. Written Esther keeps a slightly formal, old-fashioned grace; spoken aloud in English, its short rhythm feels much less elaborate than the spelling might suggest.

Etymology: Esther comes through the Hebrew biblical name Ester. A Persian word for “star” and the Akkadian divine name Ishtar are competing explanations of its earlier origin.