Find out how popular the first name Starlette has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Starlette by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Starlette is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 12 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Starlette.

The history of the first name Starlette

The name Starlette is a modern invention, likely created in the English-speaking world in the 20th century. It is a feminine form of the word "star," which has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European root "ster," meaning "star." The name Starlette is a combination of the English word "star" and the French diminutive suffix "-ette," meaning "little."

While the name Starlette does not have a long historical tradition, it reflects the fascination with celestial bodies and the desire to name children after these awe-inspiring celestial objects. The name may have been inspired by the growing interest in space exploration and the fascination with stars and the cosmos in the mid-20th century.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Starlette can be found in the 1959 film "Some Like It Hot," where Marilyn Monroe played the character of Sugar "Starlette" Cane. This exposure in a popular Hollywood film likely contributed to the name's popularity in the following decades.

Another notable Starlette was Starlette Miariaunii, a French actress and model born in 1973. She appeared in several French films and television shows in the 1990s and early 2000s.

In the literary world, Starlette is the name of a character in the novel "The Prince of Tides" by Pat Conroy, published in 1986. This further popularized the name in the English-speaking world.

An early recorded use of the name Starlette can be found in the United States Social Security records, where a Starlette was born in 1939. However, the name did not gain significant popularity until the latter half of the 20th century.

While the name Starlette may not have a long historical tradition, it reflects the modern fascination with celestial bodies and the desire to give children unique and evocative names. Its use in popular culture and literature has contributed to its recognition and appeal.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Starlette was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Starlette, please contact us.

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