The name Esther is derived from the Persian word "setareh" meaning "star".
Famous bearers
Esther, born Hadassah, was a woman in the Old Testament, the queen of Ahasuerus (commonly identified with Xerxes I but traditionally as Artaxerxes II),
and heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther which is named after her.
Modern bearers include Esther Williams (born c. 1922), an American swimmer and actress;
Esther Phillips (1935 - 1984), an American singer.
