Esther Knowles

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Esther Knowles — Hebrew
257K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Esther Knowles is a name that combines Hebrew origins. The first name Esther is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. Esther (Hebrew: אֶסְתֵּר) is a female given name known from the Jewish queen Esther, eponymous heroine of the Book of Esther. According to the Hebrew Bible, queen Esther was born with the name הֲדַסָּה‎ Hadassah ("Myrtle"). Her name was changed to Esther to hide her identity upon becoming queen of Persia. The three letter root of Esther in Hebrew is s-t-r (סתר‎), "hide, conceal". The passive infinitive is (לְהִסָּ֫תֶר‎), "to be hidden". The name Esther was in use by the late Second Temple period, though it is only sparsely attested in the surviving historical record. The surname Knowles: Knowles () is an English surname of mixed Anglo-Saxon and Norse origins. It is a locality name meaning 'at the knoll', a hill or summit, derived from Old English cnolle and Old Norse knollr 'hilltop' and thus describes a person who lived at such a place. It can also be an Anglicized version of the Irish name Ó Tnúthghail. Esther is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 257K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Esther reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Esther

Hebrew

Esther (Hebrew: אֶסְתֵּר) is a female given name known from the Jewish queen Esther, eponymous heroine of the Book of Esther. According to the Hebrew Bible, queen Esther was born with the name הֲדַסָּה‎ Hadassah ("Myrtle"). Her name was changed to Esther to hide her identity upon becoming queen of Persia. The three letter root of Esther in Hebrew is s-t-r (סתר‎), "hide, conceal". The passive infinitive is (לְהִסָּ֫תֶר‎), "to be hidden". The name Esther was in use by the late Second Temple period, though it is only sparsely attested in the surviving historical record.

Surname: Knowles

English

Knowles () is an English surname of mixed Anglo-Saxon and Norse origins. It is a locality name meaning 'at the knoll', a hill or summit, derived from Old English cnolle and Old Norse knollr 'hilltop' and thus describes a person who lived at such a place. It can also be an Anglicized version of the Irish name Ó Tnúthghail.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Esther is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Esther by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Esther Knowles

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Esther Knowles:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

9
Personality Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Esther?
The first name Esther originates from Hebrew. Esther (Hebrew: אֶסְתֵּר) is a female given name known from the Jewish queen Esther, eponymous heroine of the Book of Esther. According to the Hebrew Bible, queen Esther was born with the name הֲדַסָּה‎ Hadassah ("Myrtle"). Her name was changed to Esther to hide her identity upon becoming queen of Persia. The three letter root of Esther in Hebrew is s-t-r (סתר‎), "hide, conceal". The passive infinitive is (לְהִסָּ֫תֶר‎), "to be hidden". The name Esther was in use by the late Second Temple period, though it is only sparsely attested in the surviving historical record.
When was Esther most popular?
The name Esther reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Knowles?
The surname Knowles originates from English. Knowles () is an English surname of mixed Anglo-Saxon and Norse origins. It is a locality name meaning 'at the knoll', a hill or summit, derived from Old English cnolle and Old Norse knollr 'hilltop' and thus describes a person who lived at such a place. It can also be an Anglicized version of the Irish name Ó Tnúthghail.
What are the origins of the name Esther Knowles?
The name Esther Knowles combines two different traditions: the first name Esther has Hebrew roots, while the surname Knowles originates from English.
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